Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1/ 3
May Westling
CERAMICS
CERAMICS_180_SYLLABUS
Channa micropeltes, giant snakehead, giant mudfish or toman harimau, is among the largest
species in the family Channidae, capable of growing to 1.3 m (4.3 ft) in length and a weight
of 20 kg (44 lb).It is native to the fresh waters of Southeast Asia (South Indian populations
are now regarded as a separate species, C. diplogramma), 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
1.3 m (4.3 ft) long and a weigh 20 kg (44 lb).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 ==
C. micropeltes is found in Southeast Asia, Malay Peninsula, and Indonesia .It used to be believed to have an oddly disjunctive distribution, inhabiting both Southeast Asia and
southwest India and Bangladesh, about 2,500 km (1,600 mi) apart.The Indian population
was speculated to be from an early human introduction, prior to the 19th century.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).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.It is not believed
to be established in the U.S., however, unlike the northern snakehead (C. argus), 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.In 2003, an example
was caught in Rock River, Wisconsin.Biologists were concerned that warm water effluents
could allow the tropical species to survive in colder climates, but as yet there is no evidence
of established populations anywhere in the United States, with all catches believed to be
aquarium releases.In 2010, one was found dead on the shores of the Saint-Charles River, in
Quebec City, Canada.It was obviously an aquarium release.The species is well-established
throughout Taiwan and is considered invasive at least in Sun Moon Lake.An attempt is
made at controlling the species in Sun Moon Lake through a targeted fishery for mature pre-
spawn females.=== 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.It was later determined to be a hoax; the fish had actually been found dead in a street.== Use as food ==
In Malaysia and Singapore, Indonesia are known locally as the Toman and are 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 ==
== 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
