Channa micropeltes

{{Short description|Species of fish}} {{Speciesbox | name = Giant snakehead | image = Channa micropeltes 2012 G1.jpg | image_caption = | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Allen, D.J. |author2=Ng, H.H. |date=2020 |title=''Channa micropeltes'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T172432A89799044 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T172432A89799044.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref> | taxon = Channa micropeltes | authority = (G. Cuvier, 1831) | synonyms = *''Ophicephalus micropeltes'' Cuvier, 1831 *''Ophicephalus serpentinus'' Cuvier, 1831 *''Ophicephalus bivittatus'' Bleeker, 1845 *''Ophicephalus stevensii'' Bleeker, 1854 *''Ophiocephalus studeri'' Volz, 1903 }} [[File:Indonesian snakehead total production thousand tonnes 1950-2022.svg|thumb|Capture (blue) and aquaculture (green) production of ''Channa micropeltes'' in thousand tonnes from 1950 to 2022, as reported by the FAO<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fisheries and Aquaculture - Global Production |url=https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/collection/global_production?lang=en |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)}}</ref>]] '''''Channa micropeltes''''', '''giant snakehead''', '''giant mudfish''' or '''toman harimau''', is among the largest species in the family Channidae, capable of growing to {{convert|1.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length and a weight of {{convert|30|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name=fishbase>{{Fishbase species|genus=Channa|species=micropeltes|month=May|year=2014}}</ref> It is native to the fresh waters of Southeast Asia (South Indian populations are now regarded as a separate species, ''C. diplogramma''),<ref name=fishbase/><ref name=taxonomy>Benziger A, Philip S, Raghavan R, Anvar Ali PH, Sukumaran M, et al. (2011). ''Unraveling a 146 Years Old Taxonomic Puzzle: Validation of Malabar Snakehead, Species-Status and Its Relevance for Channid Systematics and Evolution.'' PLoS ONE 6(6): e21272</ref> but has also been introduced elsewhere and is considered invasive in Taiwan. Other names include ''shol machh'' (শোল মাছ ) in Bengali, red snakehead, redline snakehead, and ''ikan toman'' (where ''ikan'' is fish in Malay and Indonesian).

==Biology== The young of the ''C.micropeltes'' are red in color, with orange and black lateral stripes appearing after about two months. As the giant snakehead matures, it loses its stripes and redness, and instead develops a bluish-black and white pattern on its upper body. Juveniles sold in the aquarium fish trade are commonly called "red snakeheads". They can get up to {{convert|1.3|m|ft|abbr=on}} long and a weigh {{convert|20|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name=fishbase/>

[[Image:tomanfry.jpg|thumb|left|Two-cm-long fry: Its color when young explains another of its names, the red snakehead.]] [[Image:Channa micropeltes after bleeker 1878.jpg|thumb|left|After Bleeker, 1878; juvenile. ''USGS 2004''<ref name="usgs2004">Courtenay, Jr., Walter R. and James D. Williams. [https://fisc.er.usgs.gov/Snakehead_circ_1251/html/channa_micropeltes.html Chiana Micropeltes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115051605/http://fisc.er.usgs.gov/Snakehead_circ_1251/html/channa_micropeltes.html |date=2006-11-15 }} ''USGS Circular 1251: Snakeheads (Pisces, Chinnidae) - A Biological Synopsis and Risk Assessment''. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. 2004-04-01. Retrieved 2007-07-15.</ref>]] thumb|left|Near-adult juveniles

The species has the ability to crawl onto land and breathe air, although they are only able to do this in muddy or swampy areas, hence the nickname "mudfish".

Its ability to breathe air using a primitive lung located just behind the gills allows it to survive in stagnant water where oxygen levels are low, by coming to the surface and taking a small gulp of air. It also enables the snakehead to travel short distances on land, although it is unable to hunt while on land, as it cannot support itself at all with its small fins in comparison to its large body. ==Distribution== [[Image:Channa micropeltes distribution.gif|thumb|right|Distribution of ''Channa micropeltes'', USGS 2004.<ref name="usgs2004" /> The Indian population (red), referred to as "introduced", is actually ''C. diplogramma'', which used to be considered a synonym of ''C. micropeltes''<ref name=taxonomy/>]]

''C. micropeltes'' is found in Southeast Asia, Malay Peninsula, and Indonesia .<ref name=fishbase/> It used to be believed to have an oddly disjunctive distribution, inhabiting both Southeast Asia and southwest India and Bangladesh, about {{convert|2500|km|mi|abbr=on}} apart. The Indian population was speculated to be from an early human introduction, prior to the 19th century.<ref>Ebanasar, J. 1995. "Studies on some aspects of the Culture of murrels Channa micropeltes, Channa marulius and Channa striatus." PhD Thesis University of Kerala.</ref><ref>Ebanasar, J. and V. Jayaprakas. 1995. "Cage culture a conservation strategy for an endangered murrel Channa micropeltes." ''Proceedings of Seventh Kerala Science Congress''.</ref> In 2011, the Southeast Asian and Indian populations were found to be separate species, with the latter correctly named ''C. diplogramma'' (leaving ''C. micropeltes'' for the Southeast Asian population).<ref name=fishbase/><ref name=taxonomy/>

This fish is reported to be highly suitable for culture in cages or ponds in combination with tilapia. It is found to be an effective tool in controlling the overpopulation of tilapia, which checks the stunted growth of tilapia. ==As an invasive species== As the result of human introductions, ''C. micropeltes'' has been reported in six US states: Maine, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Maryland and Rhode Island.<ref name="maddern">{{cite web |website=Invasive Species Compendium |publisher=CAB International |location=United Kingdom |title=Channa micropeltes (giant snakehead)|last=Maddern|first=Mark|date=14 November 2014 |url=https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/88948|access-date=8 October 2022}}</ref> It is not believed to be established in the U.S.,<ref name="nico">{{cite web |url=https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=414 |title=Giant Snakehead factsheet |last1=Nico |first1=Leo G.|last2=Fuller |first2=Pam L.|last3=Neilson |first3=Matt |date=26 May 2020 |website=Nonindigenous Aquatic Species |publisher=U.S. Geological Survey |access-date=8 October 2022}}</ref> however, unlike the northern snakehead (''C. argus''),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatic/fish-and-other-vertebrates/northern-snakehead |website=National Invasive Species Information Center |publisher=U.S. Department of Agriculture |title=Northern Snakehead |access-date=8 October 2022}}</ref> its temperate relative.

In Maryland, three specimens were caught in the early 2000s, two in open waters and one in the shallows of the Inner Harbor in Baltimore.<ref name="maddern" /> In 2003, an example was caught in Rock River, Wisconsin.<ref name="rockriverusgs">{{cite web |date=19 September 2003|url=https://nas.er.usgs.gov/news/news_item.asp?NewsID=24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070821174450/https://nas.er.usgs.gov/news/news_item.asp?NewsID=24|archive-date=21 August 2007|website=Nonindigenous Aquatic Species |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey|title=Giant snakehead found in Wisconsin waters (News item)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3088056|title='Snakehead' fish found in Wisconsin |date=24 September 2003|access-date=8 October 2022|website=NBC News|author=The Associated Press}}</ref> Biologists were concerned that warm water effluents could allow the tropical species to survive in colder climates,<ref name="rockriverusgs"/> but as yet there is no evidence of established populations anywhere in the United States, with all catches believed to be aquarium releases.<ref name="nico"/>

In 2010, one was found dead on the shores of the Saint-Charles River, in Quebec City, Canada. It was obviously an aquarium release.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324115451/http://www.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/presse/communiques-detail.jsp?id=8207|archive-date=24 March 2012|url=http://www.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/presse/communiques-detail.jsp?id=8207|website = Ministère de l'Énergie et des Ressources naturelles|date=29 April 2010|title=Des espèces dangereuses pour la faune aquatique - Un poisson tête-de-serpent découvert dans la rivière Saint-Charles|language=French}}</ref>

The species is well-established throughout Taiwan and is considered invasive at least in Sun Moon Lake.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chieh-yu |first1=Hsieh |last2=Madjar |first2=Kayleigh |title=Nantou urges action on giant snakeheads |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/07/19/2003761100 |website=www.taipeitimes.com |publisher=Taipei Times |date=19 July 2021|access-date=8 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://fishdb.sinica.edu.tw/chi/species.php?id=395665 |title=Channa micropeltes|author=K. T. Shao |website=Taiwan Fish Database|publisher=Academia Sinica Center for Digital Cultures & Biodiversity Research Center |access-date= 2022-11-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://jalife.cafe/41330|title=日月潭外來魚強勢魚種魚虎危害生態南投縣府與清華大學專家、漁民聯手移除魚虎邁入第三年新竹射魚虎好手來相挺|last=Hongji |first=Huang |date= 25 November 2021|website=JALife |access-date=2022-11-05 |language=zh-tw}}</ref> An attempt is made at controlling the species in Sun Moon Lake through a targeted fishery for mature pre-spawn females.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Everington |first1=Keoni |title=Man catches record-breaking giant snakehead fish in Taiwan's Sun Moon Lake |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4895146 |website=taiwannews.com.tw |date=18 May 2023 |publisher=Taiwan News |access-date=19 May 2023}}</ref>

In 2025, the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) of Sri Lanka reported the existence of ''C. micropeltes'' in the Deduru Oya reservoir, with earlier sightings dating back to 2024, posing a significant threat to other fish species in the reservoir and, in turn, the freshwater fishing industry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Would Deduru Oya become home to the most predacious snakehead fish? - News Features {{!}} Daily Mirror |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/news-features/Would-Deduru-Oya-become-home-to-the-most-predacious-snakehead-fish/131-315003 |access-date=2025-09-04 |website=www.dailymirror.lk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Walpola |first=Thilina |date=2024-10-19 |title=Giant Snakehead threatens Deduru Oya fish |url=http://island.lk/giant-snakehead-threatens-deduru-oya-fish/ |access-date=2025-09-04 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Hoax=== In 2005, a specimen of ''C. micropeltes'' was reportedly caught by an angler while fishing for pike on the River Witham in Lincolnshire, England. The claim of this catch is highly peculiar, as it was reportedly caught in late winter, and being a tropical species, it would not have been able to survive, let alone feed in an English river during winter.<ref>{{Cite news | date = 2008-02-19 | title = Attack of the killer fish? | periodical = New Scientist | url = https://www.newscientist.com/blog/shortsharpscience/2008/02/attack-of-killer-fish.html | access-date = 2008-02-20 | doi = 10.1126/science.1085274 | author = Chew, M. K. | volume = 301 | page = 52 }}</ref> It was later determined to be a hoax; the fish had actually been found dead in a street.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Clarke|first=Matt|title=Snakehead catch 'a hoax'|journal=Practical Fishkeeping|date=April 2008}}</ref><ref> {{cite news |url = http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/sport/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=Sport&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=Sport&itemid=NOED04%20Mar%202008%2020%3A36%3A20%3A940 |title = Picture perfect haul delights Harris |first = Roy |last = Webster |work = Norfolk Eastern Daily Press |date = 2008-03-05 |access-date = 2008-04-01 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080415152559/http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/sport/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=Sport&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=Sport&itemid=NOED04%20Mar%202008%2020%3A36%3A20%3A940 |archive-date = 2008-04-15 }} </ref>

==Use as food== [[File:2013 Pla buang.jpg|thumb|''Pla buang'' is a northern Thai dish of sun-dried and deep-fried giant snakehead]] In Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, the fish is known locally as ''toman'' and is cultured in fish ponds and reservoirs as game fish because they put up a strong fight when hooked. The giant snakehead is also a good fish to eat, and is often served in Chinese restaurants.

In Thailand, this fish is prepared in a variety of ways, especially grilled, being a common food item offered by street vendors.

In traditional Chinese medicine theory, eating this fish is believed to help in healing of the body, for example, after surgery or severe cuts and scrapes.

==In the aquarium== ''C. micropeltes'', frequently referred to as the red or redline snakehead in the fishkeeping hobby, is a popular fish to be sold in the pet trade. Juveniles are commonly sold as pets. Some are even sold as feeders to be fed to larger carnivorous fish. They are voracious predators that will chase and eat anything that fits in their mouths. Due to this, they are called "freshwater great whites". They can successfully be housed, though, with silver arowanas, clown knifefishes, oscars, and other fish from same size group.

==References== {{Reflist}} ==Further reading== * Ebanasar J. and V.Jayaprakas 1995b. Culture of three species of murrels with mossambique tilapia at three predator-prey densities in earthen ponds. J. Aqua . Trop. 10: 221–229. * Ebanasar J. and V.Jayaprakas 1996. Food utilization of Channa micropeltes (Channidae: Pisces) fed three diets of animal origin. Indian J. Exp. Biol. 34:1261–1264. * Ebanasar J. and V. Jayaprakas 2000 Influence of predator size on satiation and gastric evacuation of a predatory fish Channa micropeltes. Indian Journal of Comparative animal Physiology 18 : 44–55 * Ebanasar, J., B.D.Sheeja and R.Narayanan 2001. Nutritive value and Bio-chemical composition of selected freshwater fishes. Journal of Social Medicine 55–57. * Ebanasar. J and V. Jayaprakas (2003) Growth and food utilization of Juvenile giant murrel Channa marulius and striped murrel Channa striatus fed with diets of animal origin. Symposium on physiological approaches to conserve biodiversity and to tackle environmental health hazards. Indian Society for comparative animal physiology. Tirupati. * Jayaprakas. V and J.Ebanasar (2003) Enzymes activity in the alimentary canal of malabar snake head Channa micropeltes fed with different diets. Symposium on physiological approaches to conserve biodiversity and to tackle environmental health hazards. Indian Society for comparative animal physiology. Tirupati. ==External links== {{Wikispecies|Channa micropeltes}} {{Commons category|Channa micropeltes}} *[http://www.snakeheads.org snakeheads.org] *[http://www.outdoorcentral.com/mc/pr/03/09/24c6.asp Report of giant snakehead captured in Wisconsin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518090349/http://www.outdoorcentral.com/mc/pr/03/09/24c6.asp |date=2013-05-18 }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110723150114/http://hygen.net/content/profile.php?species=Channa%2520micropeltes&DBName=afd Photos of Snakehead Fish] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20111229053502/http://seakayaking-thailand.com/freshwater-fishing-thailand.htm Fishing in Khao Sok] *[http://belum.com.my/fishing/ Fishing in Belum-Temenggor, Malaysia]

micropeltes Category:Fauna of Southeast Asia Category:Fish of Thailand Category:Fish described in 1831 Category:Taxa named by Georges Cuvier