Giant Snakehead Fishing Thailand Freshwater Fish of Thailand

Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Channidae Genus: Channa
Species: Channa micropeltes
Facts & Figures

Common name: Giant snakehead, toman

Local Thai Name: Pla Shado

Max published weight: 130cm TL – 20.0 Kg

Environment: Benthopelagic
potamodromous
Freshwater Fish Species Of Thailand

The giant snakehead (Channa micropeltes) is a freshwater fish species in the snakeheads family (family Channidae) of order Perciformes (perch-likes). The giant snakehead is a native specie to the ecosystems of the Mekong River basin and the Chao Phraya River basin in Thailand.

Natural Food Source

The adult giant snakehead feeds primarily by hunting fish and occasionally will take small mammals such as rats. The juvenile giant snakehead feeds on algae and plankton until it reaches maturity.

Giant Snakehead Identification

The giant snakehead is also known as the toman especially in Singapore. The eel-like body of the adult giant snakehead has a broad, dark, longitudinal stripe; juveniles will have two black longitudinal stripes with a bright orange intermediate area. The dorsal fin is long stretching across the back; a small head with a big mouth displays rows of sharp teeth for trapping its prey. The giant snakehead has a physiological need to breathe atmospheric air forcing it to surface and trap air in its suprabranchial organ.