What do Snakeheads Eat
The Snakehead is a freshwater fish that is native to Africa and Asia. They are called a snakehead because of their snake like teeth. It is a predatory fish with a long body and dorsal fin. The maximum size a snakehead can grow to is 1 meter. They are able to breathe air and are said to migrate across wet and dry areas of land. It can live for up to three days out of water. They do a great deal of damage to native wildlife and habitats when introduced to new countries.
What Do Snakeheads Eat?
Snakeheads are a predatory fish so their diet is mainly carnivorous. When they are small they eat plankton, aquatic insects, and mollusks such as mussels. As they mature into adults their diets broaden to include other fish such as carp, frogs, and crusteans and in some cases small mammals such as rats and birds. There are some reports of the giant snakeheads found in Asia attacking and killing humans, but it is not clear whether this is rumor or fact.
What Do Snakeheads Eat When Kept As Pets?
In many countries snakeheads are kept as pets in large aquariums. Snakeheads range in size from some species that grow to be about 10 inches (25cm) to the two largest species which can grow to be at least 1 meter in length. When kept as pets snakeheads should be feed meat foods such as shrimp, beef hearts and liver and can be trained to eat dead prey. However, when they are fully grown most snakehead species will only eat live prey. They will eat any fish that is kept in the tank with them so it is best to keep them on their own. If keeping other fish with a snakehead it should be at least 2/3 the size of the snakehead. Some species of snakehead will eat fish pallets and food rather than meat or fish.
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