What is snakehead fish called in India?

Is snakehead fish species found in Kerala a living fossil?

Home Science Snakehead fish species found in Kerala a living fossil, belongs to unique… The fish, named after a character from the ‘Lord of the Rings’ fantasy novel, dwell in dark groundwaters, and are known to be usually found in Africa and Asia.

Did snakeheads come from India or Africa?

His genetic analysis shows they may have diverged from their nearest relatives, snakeheads in the family Channidae, before Africa and India separated and spread apart 120 million years ago, Britz says. There are more than 50 species of Channidae snakeheads, which live in streams and lakes throughout Asia and Africa.

How big is the biggest snakehead in the world?

According to the IGFA website, the group awards world records for seven varieties of the snakehead, with only the giant snakehead being larger. The record-setter for that fish was hauled in earlier this year in Thailand — and weighed in at 26 pounds.

Can people catch bigger fish?

Over the years, there have been cases of people catching even bigger fish. These, however, were either caught by more than one person, or failed to meet other IGFA World Record requirements. As you’d expect, most of these giants are from the Billfish and Shark families, but there are a few surprise entries, too.

What are Northern snakeheads known for?

Northern snakeheads are known for having sharp teeth, slimy skin, a voracious appetite and the ability to survive on land for days at a time. A spawning population as found in a pond in Maryland near the Potomac River in 2002.

Is this the world’s most bizarre fish?

The subterranean ecosystems of Kerala harbour some of the planet’s most bizarre species of fish such as Horaglanis krishnai, Kryptoglanis shajii, Aenigmachanna gollum and Monopterus digressus, according to the study.

What is a Gollum snakehead fish?

Snakehead fish are freshwater species, usually found in Africa and Asia. They are predatory fish distinguished by their long dorsal fins, large mouths, and shiny teeth. What is most interesting about the Gollum snakehead, according to the study, is that scientists describe it as a ‘living fossil’.

Is snakehead fish a unique species?

New Delhi: A team of scientists have determined that a species of snakehead fish discovered in the Western Ghats in Kerala belongs to a unique family distinct from fish species found in the world.

What is the giant snakehead fish called in English?

One interesting aspect of the Giant Snakehead Fish is the many names that it has. In English it goes by a few names that include the names Giant Snakehead Fish and Indonesian Snakehead Fish. It is sometimes incorrectly called by the name Red Snakehead Fish due to the young Giant Snakehead Fish having a red colouration.

What is the size of a red snakehead?

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 snakeheads”. They can get up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) long and a weigh 20 kg (44 lb).

Is Gollum’s sister species Aenigmachanna mahabali?

2- Sister species of Gollum, ‘Aenigmachanna Mahabali’ has also been discovered. 3- The fish was discovered via social media post. 4- The scientists have described it as a ‘living fossil’.

What is a Gollum fish?

The fish was discovered in the watery underground rocks and has been named ‘Gollum’, after the character from the ‘Lord of the Rings’ fantasy novel. As per the researchers, the Aenigmachanna is a Gondwanan lineage who has survived the separation of India and Africa around 120 million years ago.

What is the genus name of the snakehead fish?

The genus Aenigmachanna was raised for the first time on discovery of A. gollum, with aenigma meaning ” enigma ” in Latin, and Channa being the generic name of Asian snakehead fishes. A. gollum was the first discovered species of the genus Aenigmachanna.

Is the Gollum snakehead a fossil?

The primitive fishes, which scientists call “living fossils,” represent a new taxonomic family, a rare finding. The Gollum snakehead, named after the subterranean character in Lord of the Rings, is one of two species in a newfound taxonomic family of fishes.

Where can I find information about the northern snakehead?

Wikispecies has information related to Northern snakehead. Species Profile- Northern Snakehead ( Channa argus), National Invasive Species Information Center, United States National Agricultural Library. Lists general information and resources for Northern Snakehead.

What does a red snakehead fish look like?

The young of the giant snakehead 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 snakeheads”.

What is a juvenile snakehead fish?

Juveniles of Channa Micropeltes (meaning literally small-scaled snakehead) are found relative often in the aquarium trade and are in fact the most available snakehead species. Mostly they serve as cheap feeder fish for larger fish species and are sold under the incorrect name “Red Snakehead” Juveniles are indeed red coloured and live in groups.

Is Gollum the fish named after Lord of the Rings?

After a social media post made a researcher in Kerala curious, a type of fish was discovered in the watery underground rocks of the state that scientists have named “Gollum”, after the dark and conflicted character of JRR Tolkien’s epic saga ‘Lord of the Rings’.

What does Gollum look like?

‘Aenigmachanna Gollum’ remained hidden for a hundred million years, looks like a dragon and swims like an eel. The fish was discovered in the watery underground rocks and has been named ‘Gollum’, after the character from the ‘Lord of the Rings’ fantasy novel.

What is a Gollum snakehead?

Subterranean Fish Named ‘Gollum’ Belongs to a New Family The freshwater fish belongs to a never-before-described taxonomic family, making it one of the biggest finds of the last decade The Gollum snakehead is unusual among subterranean critters because it has both eyes and a colorful complexion. (Ralf Britz / Naturhistorisches Museum Bern)