Striped snakehead (Channa striata) fish species and information / pictures of Striped snakehead - Channa striata

Striped snakehead (Channa striata) fish species information

Scientific Name
Channa striata

Common Name
Striped snakehead

Biology
Inhabits ponds, streams and rivers, preferring stagnant and muddy water of plains (Ref. 41236). Found mainly in swamps, but also occurs in the lowland rivers. More common in relatively deep (1-2 m), still water. Very common in freshwater plains (Ref. 4515, 57235). Occurs in medium to large rivers, brooks, flooded fields and stagnant waters including sluggish flowing canals (Ref. 12975). Survives dry season by burrowing in bottom mud of lakes, canals and swamps as long as skin and air-breathing apparatus remain moist (Ref. 2686) and subsists on the stored fat (Ref. 1479). Feeds on fish, frogs, snakes, insects, earthworms, tadpoles (Ref. 1479) and crustaceans (Ref. 2847). Undertakes lateral migration from the Mekong mainstream, or other permanent water bodies, to flooded areas during the flood season and returns to the permanent water bodies at the onset of

Classification

Classified By
Bloch, 1793
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Snakeheads (Channidae)

Distribution

Region
Asia
Distribution
Asia: Pakistan to Thailand and south China. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Range
35°N - 18°S

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
23 °C
Water Temperature To
27 °C
Depth From - meters
1 m
Depth To - meters
10 m
Zone
benthopelagic
Environment
Freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: ? - 20 benthopelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 1 - 10 m (Ref. 2686), usually 1 - 2 m (Ref. 4515)
Trophic Level
3.65 s.e. 0.67 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
100.0 cm
Common Length
61.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Vulnerability
Moderate vulnerability (40 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.21; tm=1.5; Fec = 324)
Threat To Humans
  Potential pest (Ref. 2847)
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)