India country information

Common names: Asiatic snakehead, Chainga, Chayung
Occurrence: native
Salinity: freshwater
Abundance: | Ref:
Importance: minor commercial | Ref:
Aquaculture: | Ref:
Regulations: | Ref:
Uses: no uses
Comments: Occurs throughout India (Ref. 45255). Also Ref. 4833, 41236, 43640, 44148, 45204, 97593. Status of threat: Vulnerable in Western Ghats (Ref. 50614).
National Checklist:
Country Information: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html
National Fisheries Authority:
Occurrences: Occurrences Point map
Main Ref: Kapoor, D., R. Dayal and A.G. Ponniah, 2002
National Database:

Common names from other countries

Asiatic snakehead, Smooth-breasted snakehead, Pikkukäärmeenpää, ... more

Classification / Names Nombres comunes | Sinónimos | Catalog of Fishes(Género, Especie) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa

> Anabantiformes (Gouramies, snakeheads) > Channidae (Snakeheads)
Etymology: Channa: Greek, channe, -es = an anchovy (Ref. 45335).
More on authors: Bloch & Schneider.

Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range Ecología

; agua dulce; salobre bentopelágico; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19; potamodromo (Ref. 51243). Tropical; 23°C - 26°C (Ref. 1672)

Distribución Países | Áreas FAO | Ecosistemas | Ocurrencias, apariciones | Point map | Introducciones | Faunafri

Asia: Afghanistan and Baluchistan southward to Sri Lanka and eastward to Indonesia.

Tamaño / Peso / Age

Maturity: L_m ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 33.0 cm TL macho / no sexado; (Ref. 41236); common length : 16.0 cm TL macho / no sexado; (Ref. 41236)

Short description Claves de identificación | Morfología | Morfometría

Radios blandos dorsales (total) : 33 - 36; Radios blandos anales: 21 - 23. Caudal fin roundly pointed.

Obligate air-breathing (Ref. 126274); Are broadly adapted species occurring in rivers, lakes, ponds, mountain streams and even brackish water (Ref. 12693). Usually hide under the cover of marginal roots and bogwood. Found in quiet, shaded, clear, flowing water with a silt or gravel substrate (Ref. 6028). Can tolerate very stagnant, poorly oxygenated and turbid water. They also tolerate very foul water (Ref. 1479). Feed largely on insects and crustaceans. A small percentage of fish is also included in the diet. Spawn in shallow water with a silt or gravel substrate. Can tolerate a temperature of 36.5°C.

Life cycle and mating behavior Maturities | Reproducción | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larva

Exhibits mouthbrooding. Eggs hatch in the mouth of the male and either parent may keep the brood in its mouth for protection after hatching. Fry have been found to feed on successive batches of eggs laid by the female.

Main reference Upload your references | Referencias | Coordinador | Colaboradores

Talwar, P.K. and A.G. Jhingran, 1991. Inland fishes of India and adjacent countries. Volume 2. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, i-xxii + 543-1158, 1 pl. (Ref. 4833)

IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)

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Channa orientalis Bloch & Schneider, 1801