Deadly Giant Franken-fish Creates Terror
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A vicious fish more lethal than a piranha that has been reported to kill people has been caught on British shores for the first time. The giant snakehead — dubbed ‘Franken-fish’ and ‘gangster’ of the fish world — will eat anything that crosses its path with its insatiable appetite.
Photo Daily Mail
With its razor-sharp teeth, the formidable fish is better known to terrorize its native waters of south-east Asia and Africa — where their catch is considered great sport — which is why angler Andrew Alder was particularly startled to hook a 2 foot giant snakehead from in the River Witham near North Hykeham in Lincolnshire.
Experts have confirmed his catch to be that of the deadly predator.
Alder said, “It had a gob full of razor-sharp teeth. To be honest it looked terrifying.”
The presence of even 1 of the species in British waters is a nightmare for environmentalists and conservationists, which has created panic in the area.
The fearsome fiend can also breath air with a primitive lung above the gills, ‘crawl’ on land and survive out of water for up to 4 days, posturing it as a deadly predator near ponds and even getting into homes.
It’s believed that the fish may have been smuggled in for a private aquarium and then illegally released into the wild when it became too much of a nuisance. Redlines — juveniles — have been popular imports for aquarium enthusiasts, but they’re often quickly ‘disposed of’ when they begin to annihilate their tank mates or become too large.
So devastating is the damage a giant snakehead can wreak on other fish and their environment that it’s on a blacklist of species which cannot be imported into the UK, many states in the US, and other countries. They are by far and large the most aggressive and dangerous of the species.
Photo Daily Mail
These same fish caused chaos to indigenous fish and the environment when they were found living in rivers and lakes in the US in 2002. Snipers with high-powered rifles even set up to shoot the fish as they crawled ashore and entire lakes were poisoned to wipe them out.
An Environment Agency source said, “The reaction was, ‘Oh s***.’ This is the ultimate invasive species — if it starts breeding here it’s a disaster.”
And a spokesman for the Environment Agency said, “The giant snakehead is not native to the UK and the coolness of our waters mean they are unlikely to survive for any length of time in this country.”
“However, they could still pose a danger to habitat and other fish and we would like to remind people that the dumping of fish in waters is illegal in this country and should not be carried out under any circumstances.”
Ben Weir of the Anglers Mail said, “In all my time of working within fishing I have never heard so many concerned voices.”
“These guys are the real deal and have attacked humans whilst protecting their young. Everyone within the angling and fishery world have been left gobsmacked by its capture.”
World-leading angling guide Jean Francois-Helias of Angling Adventures Thailand told Angler’s Mail, “That fish is a juvenile giant snakehead, or channa micropeltes, the meanest of all snakehead species.”
“That giant snakehead has no fear. It even attacks human beings when protecting its fry.”
Adult snakeheads can grow to about 3 feet (1 meter) and weigh as much as 44 pounds (20 kilos), but there have been reports of lengths as long as 5 feet.
These predatory fish are distinguished by a long dorsal fin, small head with large head scales on top, large mouth and teeth. They have a physiological need to breathe atmospheric air.
Snakeheads can become invasive species with their rapid breeding and cause ecological damage because they’re top-level predators, having no natural enemies outside of their native environment.
Fortunately, Andrew Alder realized the potential damage the snakehead could cause and didn’t throw it back in. It later died and he disposed of it.
Giant Snakeheads
Video begins at 0:56 seconds, please be patient.
Sources: Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, FishNews and Wikipedia
Tags:animal animals bizarre channa micropeltes creatures fish fishes Franken fish giant snakehead odd snakehead unusual weird
“dubbed ‘Franken-fish’ and ‘gangster’ of the fish world”
It is easy to imagine how this specie can terrorize a whole region. Impressive to see that the snakehead can survive in different habitats.
The picture of the snakehead looks terrifying and to think that it’s only a juvenile!
This report is quite scary, especially the extend people took to eliminate them. This is the first time I’ve heard snipers sniping fish!
“Snipers with high-powered rifles even set up to shoot the fish as they crawled ashore and entire lakes were poisoned to wipe them out.”
Hi Debbie,
Eeehh, sushi anyone? :-0 –Durano, done!
Yes Criminal, it’s quite surprising how it’s surviving outside of its natural habitat, but because it’s a top-level predator and breeds quickly, there is nothing to stop it naturally.
Yes, it is scary, Betshopboy, even to look at.
Hi Durano
Haha, I’d rather just see these creatures dead, and not on my plate 
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I can definitely see why it got it’s nickname. That’s crazy that entire lakes have been poisoned to get rid of them.
Kind of scary how it’s taken over, isn’t Jason? But they’ve had to take these recourses due to its agressive behavior, being at the top of the food chain where it has no predators to prevent it from taking over entirely.
i am snakehead fish hunter in labuan,malaysia..in malaysia,snakehead fish we called Toman ( Channa Micropeltes)..it a great fish..visit my blog to know about malaysia snaehead fish..
Interesting topic! I’v been enjoying this interesting entertainment for sometime. The whole topic has been really over blown, I just can’t stop laughing.I just had it for lunch yerterday.Yummy,and maybe I’ll also have it for lunch today!
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An adult could really do some damage, not only to other species but to local swimmers etc. Anyone releasing a pet should be charged criminally.
[...] Stores. Huge Fish Photos At Low Prices. Sponsored by: shopping.yahoo.com/ • Deadly Giant Franken-fish Creates Terror The giant snakehead — dubbed ‘Franken-fish’ and ‘gangster’ of the fish world — will eat … The [...]
you will disbelieve but in our our shallow river also one time caught similar fish. it ecology is such
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That’s where the problem lies with unscrupulous people who would just release the fish to the wild not knowing that doing this could devastate and disrupt the natural fish species population. What’s worse is that those are snakeheads that could just gobble everything in its path. It’s sad to read this kind of things. More actions needed to enforce the law and fine people who releases those fish into the wild.