TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A fishing expert on Saturday (May 4) caught a giant snakehead (魚虎) carrying eggs in Sun Moon Lake, preventing the birth of thousands of invasive fish.
As the giant snakehead (Channa micropeltes) entered the breeding season in Sun Moon Lake, fishing expert Huang Hsiao-ssu (黃小四) on Saturday conducted his first mission this year. Using trotlines, Huang caught one giant snakehead measuring 83 cm in length and weighing 15 Taiwanese catties (1 Taiwanese catty is 600 grams), the equivalent of 9 kg, reported Liberty Times.
Huang found two clusters of fish roe in the fish’s belly. Huang said female giant snakeheads are normally cyan, but when they enter in estrus or already carry eggs, their appearance turns black.
Once their fry are born, the adults will turn green to protect them. Removing one female giant snakehead can prevent hundreds or even thousands of fry from being born, Huang said.
Huang placed 30 trotlines at different locations and monitored them in cycles. After six hours, one large specimen was hooked with a large belly and black markings.
He said that only nine trotlines were left, while 21 had been dragged away, indicating the potential presence of more giant snakeheads.
Tags: Giant snakehead carrying eggs caught Taiwans Sun Moon Lake Taiwan News
