This is the bizarre moment a school of baby snakehead fish appeared at a riverbank in China.

The woman walking along the riverside noticed the large dark mass moving eerily through the water in Xinyang, Henan, on June 1.

She said she tried to poke the water with a long leaf and noticed that the school of fish moved in an orderly manner, undisturbed by her actions.

Suddenly, a large fish appeared just below the surface and its eyes were menacing. Then quickly vanished.

Though the mother fish looked on briefly, she did not approach closer to protect her young, leaving quickly after a cursory glance.

The filmer said she found its appearance after she replayed the video at home.

It is said that when they later attempted to observe the fry closely again, a large fish suddenly jumped onto the shore, seemingly attempting to attack them.