SNAKEHEADS are not the most famous fish species that live in Thailands waters but they are definatley one of the most exciting when the action starts. The Giant snakehead is the largest representative of the widespread Asian snakehead genus: Channa (formerly Ophicephalus). Three popular species of snakehead that are native in Thailand, are the Giant Snakehead:Channa micropeltes( plah Shado) , Striped Snakehead:Channa striata( plah Chon) and the Cobra Snakehead or Great snakehead:Channa Marulius (plah Chon Gnu how).
Snakeheads are Predatory fish and can be recognised by their long Dorsal fin and snake like head. The head has large scales on the top. They have a large mouth with sharp teeth for attacking and grabbing prey items.
Channa are considered a valuable food fish in Thailand due to their fairly boneless meat. Larger species such as striped snakehead (plah Chon) also known as Common snakehead, Chevron Snakehead or Snakehead Murrell are farmed in aquaculture.
When young the Snakeheads diet will consist of Plankton, aquatic insects and mollusks and adults mostly feed on other fish such as carp, also frogs and sometimes birds or mammals like rats are taken.
Channa come in various sizes but the species native to Thailand such as the Striped Snakehead range from 2 or 3ft(60–100 cm) to more than 1 meter grow to weights of over 7kg. The Giant Snakehead has been recorded at a weight of 30KG (66lbs).
Snakehead fishing in Thailand is very exciting and will get your adrenaline pumping quickly, Surface lures are usually the best form of attack due to the Snakeheads love of snagged up areas where they can ambush prey that is unfortunate enough to swim past. |
|
|
|
|
