Snakehead fish are a group of freshwater fish that are native to parts of Africa and Asia. They are known for their elongated bodies, flat, scaly heads, and upturned mouths full of tiny teeth.
Snakeheads have the ability to breathe air, which makes it easier for them to survive in oxygen-depleted waters. They are also predatory fish that eat other fish, amphibians, snakes, rodents, birds, and invertebrates. In this article, we will take a closer look at seven types of snakehead fish, including their scientific names and characteristics.
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7 Types Of Snakehead Fish
Northern Snakehead (Channa argus)
The Northern Snakehead (Channa argus) is a species of snakehead fish native to temperate East Asia, in China, Russia, North Korea, and South Korea. They are long, thin fish with a single fin running the length of the back. They are generally brown with large, dark blotches along their sides and can grow up to three feet long.
Northern snakeheads have a somewhat flattened head and a large mouth with many teeth. They are very similar to the native bowfin (Amia calva), but can be distinguished by a shorter anal fin and a rounded tail fin.
Northern snakeheads are an important food fish and one of the most cultivated in their native region, with an estimated 500 tons produced every year in China and Korea alone.
However, they have been identified as an invasive aquatic fish across the United States. They were most likely introduced to New York through aquarium dumpings and both accidental and intentional releases.
Northern snakeheads prefer to live in stagnant shallow ponds or swamps, but can inhabit canals, reservoirs, lakes, and rivers. In New York State, snakeheads were identified in two connected ponds in Queens where steps have been taken to keep the population contained.
Another population found in Ridgebury Lake in the town of Wawayanda, Orange County, was eradicated in 2008 using the pesticide rotenone.
Giant Snakehead (Channa micropeltes)
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The Giant Snakehead (Channa micropeltes) is a species of snakehead fish that is native to the freshwaters of Southeast Asia. It is also known as the giant mudfish or toman harimau and is one of the largest species in the family Channidae, capable of growing up to 1.5 meters in length and weighing up to 20 kilograms.
The young of the Giant Snakehead are red in color, with orange and black lateral stripes appearing after about two months. As the fish 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”.
The Giant Snakehead is a daytime predator, feeding on fishes, frogs, and birds. It has a reputation for being very aggressive and even attacking humans.
The Giant Snakehead is also considered invasive in Taiwan. The species possesses a region of gular scales that is present in only a few Asian Channa species but shared with the related African genus Parachanna.
The Giant Snakehead is a fearsome fighter and is regarded in Southeast Asia as a sport fish, which also happens to be good eating.
Great Snakehead (Channa marulius)
The Great Snakehead (Channa marulius) is a large species of snakehead fish that is native to South Asia. Populations in Southeast Asia are now regarded as separate species. Here are some key characteristics of the Great Snakehead:
– The Great Snakehead is also known as the bullseye snakehead.
– It has a flattened head with large eyes and a large mouth full of sharp teeth.
– The Great Snakehead can grow up to 72 inches in length.
– It is a fast-growing fish species and is suitable for intensive culture due to its air-breathing habit.
– The Great Snakehead is being sold live and fetches high prices in the market due to its excellent-tasting flesh and lack of fine bones.
– The Great Snakehead is considered an invasive species in some areas, including the United States.
– It may threaten native fish species through competition.
Overall, the Great Snakehead is a large and aggressive fish that is prized for its taste and is also considered an invasive species in some areas.
Splendid Snakehead (Channa lucius)
The Splendid Snakehead (Channa lucius) is a species of snakehead fish that is native to Southeast Asia. Here are some key facts about this species:
Characteristics:
– The Splendid Snakehead is sometimes referred to as the “shiny” or “forest” snakehead.
– It has a distinct series of port-hole markings on the side and has a more tapering head compared to other snakeheads.
– Juveniles are pale and have three lateral stripes from head to tail.
– The Splendid Snakehead can reach up to 40 cm (16 in) in length.
Habitat and Distribution:
– The Splendid Snakehead is found in forest streams and other freshwater habitats in Southeast Asia.
– Its range includes most of Southeast Asia and parts of southern China.
– The Splendid Snakehead is known in Thai language as pla krasong.
Conservation Status:
– The Splendid Snakehead is listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
– However, it is threatened by habitat loss and degradation, as well as overfishing.
Overall, the Splendid Snakehead is a unique and interesting species of snakehead fish that is found in freshwater habitats in Southeast Asia.
Emperor Snakehead (Channa marulioides)
The Emperor Snakehead (Channa marulioides) is a species of snakehead fish that is native to Southeast Asia. Here are some key facts about this species:
Characteristics:
– The Emperor Snakehead has a jutting jaw and dark front-facing eyes.
– Its coloration ranges from brown/gold-tinted to dark brown with a white belly.
– The Emperor Snakehead can grow quite large, with some individuals reaching up to 3 feet in length.
Habitat and Distribution:
– The Emperor Snakehead prefers larger, slow-flowing rivers, lakes, and swamps, including sluggish flowing canals, at a depth of around 0.5-2 meters.
– Its range includes most of Southeast Asia.
Tank Requirements:
– Due to its large size, the Emperor Snakehead requires a spacious aquarium of at least 200 gallons.
– It is essential to use a tightly-fitting hood since Channa spp. are notorious for their ability to escape, and a gap should be left between this and the water.
Feeding:
– The Emperor Snakehead is a carnivorous fish that feeds on a variety of prey, including fish, crustaceans, and insects.
– In captivity, it can be fed a diet of live or frozen foods, such as shrimp, krill, and fish fillets.
Overall, the Emperor Snakehead is a large and impressive species of snakehead fish that requires a spacious aquarium and a carnivorous diet.
Blotched Snakehead (Channa maculata)
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The Blotched Snakehead (Channa maculata) is a species of snakehead fish that is native to China, northern Vietnam, and Taiwan. However, it has been widely introduced to other countries, where it is considered an invasive species. Here are some key facts about this species:
Characteristics:
– The Blotched Snakehead is a predatory fish that typically grows to a length of 20-30 cm (7.9-11.8 in), but it has been confirmed at 33 cm (13 in) and some suggest it may reach a far larger size.
– It has a brownish coloration with a series of blotches on its sides.
– The Blotched Snakehead is an obligate air-breather, meaning it must breathe air to survive.
Habitat and Distribution:
– The Blotched Snakehead is generally found in shallow, vegetated areas of streams and ponds.
– Its range includes China, northern Vietnam, and Taiwan, but it has been introduced to other countries, including the United States.
Tank Requirements:
– The Blotched Snakehead requires a spacious aquarium of at least 200 gallons.
– It is essential to use a tightly-fitting hood since Channa spp. are notorious for their ability to escape, and a gap should be left between this and the water.
Feeding:
– The Blotched Snakehead is a carnivorous fish that feeds on a variety of prey, including crustaceans, large insects, and other fish.
Overall, the Blotched Snakehead is a predatory fish that is considered an invasive species in many areas. It requires a spacious aquarium and a carnivorous diet.
Golden Cobra Snakehead (Channa aurantimaculata)
The Golden Cobra Snakehead (Channa aurantimaculata) is a species of snakehead fish that is native to India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua. Here are some key facts about this species:
Characteristics:
– The Golden Cobra Snakehead has a brownish body with vertical orange stripes.
– Males have taller dorsal fins with more intense coloration and narrower heads.
– This species can grow up to 16 inches (40 cm) in length.
Habitat and Distribution:
– The Golden Cobra Snakehead is found in freshwater habitats in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua.
– It is also bred by commercial fish breeders and is available in the aquarium trade.
Tank Requirements:
– The Golden Cobra Snakehead requires a large, planted aquarium with a tight-fitting cover.
– It is a subtropical fish that needs a cool winter rest.
Feeding:
– The Golden Cobra Snakehead is a carnivorous fish that feeds on a variety of prey, including fish, crustaceans, and insects.
Overall, the Golden Cobra Snakehead is a colorful and predatory species of snakehead fish that requires a large aquarium and a carnivorous diet.
FAQS
1. What are snakehead fish?
Snakehead fish are freshwater fish with elongated bodies and flat, scaly heads, which gives them a snake-like appearance. They have upturned mouths full of tiny teeth and are predatory fish that eat other fish, amphibians, snakes, rodents, birds, and invertebrates.
2. Where are snakehead fish found?
Snakeheads are native to parts of Africa and Asia, but they have been introduced to other countries, including the United States. They live in freshwater habitats, such as ponds, lakes, swamps, streams, and other still or slow-moving waters.
3. How many species of snakehead fish are there?
There are over 50 species of snakehead fish in the family Channidae, but for the purpose of this article, we focused on seven different species.
4. Are snakehead fish invasive?
Yes, snakehead fish are considered invasive in many areas where they have been introduced. They can threaten native fish species through competition and predation.
5. Can snakehead fish breathe air?
Yes, snakehead fish have a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe air, which makes it easier for them to survive in oxygen-depleted waters.
6. Are snakehead fish edible?
Yes, snakehead fish are considered a valuable food fish in many Asian countries, and they are also consumed in some regions as a traditional medicine for wound healing and reducing postoperative pain and discomfort.
7. Can snakehead fish be kept as pets?
Yes, snakehead fish can be kept as pets in aquariums, but they require a spacious tank and a carnivorous diet. Some species of snakeheads can become acceptable community fish, but they are generally highly predatory and eat other fish.
Source: https://petstutorial.com
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