Giant Snakehead

Common Name(s): Giant Snakehead
Scientific Name: Channa Micropeltes
Local Name(s): [Md]多曼鱼(Duo1 Man4 Yu2), [Hk]Siam Luui, [My]Toman
Precaution: Caution powerful bite when handling
Edible: Yes
CNR Time: 3 mins

An introduced species of snakehead and the largest of all snakeheads in Singapore. Can be found in all reservoirs and many freshwater ponds and lakes. They will eat almost anything; fishes, insects, worms, frogs and even small little ducklings. The giant snakehead can be caught using live or artificial baits. (Note that local reservoirs only allow the use of artificial baits)

For live baiting, eeltail catfish and tilapias are commonly used. One must not be too hasty to set the hook when a giant snakehead takes the live bait. Live baiters usually wait for the snakehead to draw a distance of line before executing consecutive strikes(setting of hook). This is to ensure that the snakehead swallows the live bait whole and almost always, the fish will be gut hooked. Other types of organic baits include chicken liver, beef and other types of meat are sometimes used but you're not encourage to use them as they will easily pollute the water.

For artificial baits, lures that produce loud sound/vibration are good for catching the snakehead's attention. Examples of such are poppers and woodchoppers. Size of lure matters when catching big snakeheads, they don't find it worthwhile chasing after a small meal.

The Giant Snakehead's juvenile have horizontal yellow and black stripes along its body and they stick together in groups. The parent snakehead will stay with the juvenile until they're able to survive on their own(just before they start to lose their stripes ~1ft). The dedicated parent is reluctant to feed during the guarding period but will attack intruders and predators threatening its offspring. Because of this, large sized lures are likely to provoke the parent into biting it when casted near its offsprings. This often results in the juveniles becoming orphans.

The juveniles can often be seen swimming in groups, surfacing to feed with the parent nearby. The juveniles takes small lures readily. Good time to fish for these snakeheads are during the first and last light when the temperature is cool and the water is calm.

Check out snakeheads.org for more information.

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Reference: Fishbase, Fishspecies, RMBR

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