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SPECIES: The Giant Snakehead ( Channa micropeltes ) |
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FRESHWATER FISH SPECIES -
SPECIES- SNAKEHEADS
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Written by Administrator
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 The Giant Snakehead is well renown across the world as a sport fish. There have been lots of hype about the more sinister side of this species which probablly are not true. What we do know about the Giant Snakehead is that it is the top predator in its natural habitat and it is a perfectly developed hunter who will defend its young against pretty much allcomers ( including man). Read on if you want to know more about this beautifull fish.
Giant Snakehead ( brah Shado ). aka: ikan toman, toman (Malaysia), anak toman, gabus tobang (Kalimantan), red snakehead (USA).
Scientific name: Channa micropeltes .
Max published size : 30kg
Status: Native.
Diet: Fish, Frogs, Birds, Crustaceans, Worms.
Habitat: Freshwater.
Description: The Giant Snakehead has a rather long rounded body and a large "snake like" depressed head. There is a long dark longitudinal stripe that runs down the length of the body.The upper part of the body ranges in colour and markings with the main dark colour being black/grey to dark grey/silver black. The dark colouration intermingles with striped and spotted patterns of a Light Blue/ Green to Silver grey/ purple. These patterns create a great camouflague for when it is lying in ambush waiting for prey. The belly is white. The current IFGA world record for the Giant Snakehead is 10KG.
It has large canine like teeth which are as sharp as knives with two cutting edges which causes shearing of its prey.
The Giant Snakehead is usually a daytime feeder being most active early morning and evening.
Parents will protect their young against pretty much anything and there have been reports of people being attacked that have gotten too close to either the nest or the fry ( Luc Croc ).
Channa micropeltes clear a circular area of vegetation,for their nest, where they will spawn. After the fry have hatched they rise to the surface and are guarded by the parent or parents.
The Giant Snakehead is not in Danger of extinction but it is know that it has been over fished in many areas in Thailand.
Because the Giant Snakehead is a prized food fish in many south east asian countries it has large commercial value in aquaculture.
Giant Snakeheads prefer to live in weeded areas that are surrounded by snags and cover so they can ambush prey items with devastating speed, they also are thought to hunt sometimes in packs probablly when still juvenille near to the surface of lakes.
Fishing techniques for the Giant Snakehead include baits such as large worms, crabs, Live or dead frogs, Chicken livers and live or dead fish. The most popular and exciting technique is to use top water lures with front buzz bait propellers hich send these predators into a frenzied attack, definatley not for the faint hearted.
These great predators are amazing fighting fish and will have most anglers hearts pumping when they first hook up as this fish will dive straight for the nearest snag or cover, their strong hard mouths and constant head shaking mean that unhooking can be a common occurence for Snakehead fishermen.
To see some amazing pictures of the Giant Snakeheads caught in Thailands waters go to the Mega fishing Thailand Catch reports page.
For more information about the amazing Snakehead fishing in Thailand click here.
Venues: If you want to fish in Thailand for this species its recommended you try these venues: - SRINAKARIN RESERVOIR
- QUEEN SIRIKIT DAM, Chiang Mai
- MAE KUANG DAM, Chiang Mai
If you are interested in more info or have any questions dont hesitate to email info@megafishingthailand.com we are always happy to hear from you..!!
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