EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Each week a different image of our fascinating environment is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional ecologist.

13-19 January 2025

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Catching Snakeheads

Snakehead (Channa sp.), Family Channidae
Borneo, Indonesia

Credit & Copyright: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot

Explanation:  A netted catch for sale!  These are snakehead fish, possibly giant snakehead (Channa micropeltes), although there are some 51 species of Channa spread throughout southeast Asia.  

I encountered these at a riverside "fish farm" as we boated along the Sekonyer River in Kalimantan, southern Borneo, Indonesia.  



A floating "fish farm" along the Sekonyer River, Borneo.
The cages in bottom right are used to bait and catch fish,
including snakeheads.


Giant snakehead occurs as a nonindigenous, introduced species in eastern and part of midwest U.S.  As an exotic species, its impact on native fish and other aquatic fauna might be problematic, although little is known or studied on this issue.  In its native environment, adults are highly aggressive and kill other fish of all kinds and sizes.  

   
     

Next week's picture:  Tongue Orchid of Atherton

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