Small snakehead (Channa asiatica)

Scientific name: Channa asiatica Linnaeus, 1758

Small snakehead (Channa asiatica)

The Small snakehead (Channa asiatica) is a freshwater fish of the family Channidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–28°C (72–82°F). Native range: Asia, Yangtze River basin in central China, Taiwan, Hainan Island to the Red River basin of northern Viet Nam. Also reported from Japan and Sri Lanka.

Small snakehead care at a glance

Temperature
22–28°C (72–82°F)

Biology

Generally restricted to relatively narrow regions, characterized by humid rainforest climate. Feeds on crustaceans, insect larvae and fish.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Channa asiatica
Family
Channidae (Snakeheads)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
20.0
Common length
8.7
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Asia: Yangtze River basin in central China, Taiwan, Hainan Island to the Red River basin of northern Viet Nam. Also reported from Japan and Sri Lanka.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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