Also known as blackfish, snakeheads are benthic fish that reproduce and grow fast, are ferocious carnivorous fishes, and have a huge appetite; they can often eat all the other fish in a lake or pond, even without sparing their own kind. Snakeheads can also glide on land, migrate to other waters in search of food, and can live away from the water for up to ten days.
The whole body is black, the back and head of the body are darker, the abdomen is pale, and there are irregular black patches on the side of the body and 2 rows of black markings on the side of the head. Odd fins are black and white spots, and even fins are grayish yellow with irregular spots. The snakehead is covered with medium-sized scales, round scales, and the top of the head is covered with irregular scales.
The snakehead is a strong aquatic tribe, swimming very fast, but its means of predation is very cunning, usually will quietly hide in the lush water grass or turbid water, when the shrimp, small fish let down their vigilance and slowly approach, they launch an attack to swallow them. The size of the snakehead's diet is closely related to the water temperature, the higher the temperature, the stronger the appetite of the snakehead; when the temperature is lower than 12 °, the snakehead will stop eating. Snakeheads also have a habit of cannibalism, and can devour their own kind that is smaller than themselves.
Snakeheads are camp benthic fish, usually inhabiting still or micro-flowing waters with aquatic grasses and soft bottom mud; its vitality is strongest among freshwater fish, and it is said that snakeheads can live for half a month when they leave the water and stay in a damp and cool place. When the lake water dries up, the snakehead will burrow its body into the mud with its tail down, expose its mouth to the mud, commonly known as the blackfish "sitting" or "sitting", this state can last for several weeks, and when it comes to the water again, it will return to normal life.
Although snakeheads have a habit of cannibalism, the broodstock also have a habit of protecting juveniles; whenever the breeding season comes, the male and female broodstock build their nests in swamps, lakes, underwater or small rivers. After spawning, a broodstock or male fish will lurk in or near the nest to protect the eggs from being injured or eaten by other fish or frogs. Until the juveniles can live separately and independently, the male and female broodstock can end the annual juvenile protection activities, leave the nest, and find their own habitat.
Many people are always confused, especially snakehead and spotted snakehead are of different species, and their morphology and habits are very similar.
The snakehead is tender, delicious and nutritionally valuable, so it is very popular in domestic and foreign markets and is a favorite dish of people. In addition, snakehead also has the medical effect of removing stasis, nourishing and nourishing, and strengthening the spleen and water. After illness, postpartum and after surgery, it has the effect of replenishing blood and accelerating wound healing, and can also treat edema, wet paralysis, athlete's foot, hemorrhoids, scabies and other diseases.
Blackfish tofu soup
Ingredients: blackfish to taste, lactone tofu piece
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of vinegar, 1 green onion, 3 slices of ginger, 2 star anise, 6 peppercorns, a pinch of sesame oil, 1/4 tsp sugar
make:
1. Blackfish de-gills, internal organs, fins, clean up, dry the water, set aside.
2. Bring a pot of boiling water to a boiling pot and set aside.
3. Pour the appropriate amount of oil into the pot, add the peppercorns, sauté over low heat until the color of the peppercorns becomes darker, and remove them.
4. Put the fish in, fry on high heat until golden brown on both sides, add the shallots, ginger slices and star anise.
5. Keep on high heat and pour boiling water over the fish for about 2cm.
6. Add the washed dried dates and cook for 10 minutes on high heat.
7. Pour in a teaspoon of vinegar, remove the tofu, cut into large pieces, put it in the pot, and cook together for another 10 minutes until the soup turns creamy white.
8. Finally, add a little sugar, add salt to taste, sprinkle with green onion, turn off the heat, and light a little sesame oil.