Channa micropeltes

Channa micropeltes, giant snakehead, giant mudfish or toman harimau, is among the largest species in the family Channidae, capable of growing to 1.8 m (5.9 ft) in length and a weight of 30 kg (66 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).

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.

Behaviour

In Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, the fish is known locally as toman and is 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.