Top Indonesian Snakehead Fishing Countries

The Indonesian snakehead (Channa micropeltes), also known as the giant snakehead or "toman," is a large, predatory freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia, particularly thriving in Indonesia's rivers, swamps, and lakes. Renowned for its aggressive nature and prized as a sport fish, the Indonesian snakehead is also valued in local cuisines and traditional medicine. Indonesia leads in both the commercial harvest and aquaculture of this species, with significant fishing activity in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Java. Neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam also have established snakehead fisheries, but Indonesia remains the top producer due to its vast wetland habitats and cultural preference for snakehead dishes. The fish's popularity has spurred a robust industry involving wild capture, farming, and export, making Indonesia the leading country in the global snakehead fishing sector.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.