Channa micropeltes, giant snakehead, giant mudfish, or Indonesian snakehead, is among the largest species in the family Channidae, capable of growing to 1.5 m (4.9 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, where considered invasive. Other names include xal mas in Assamese, 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 snakehead. 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.
