Teleostei (teleosts) >
Anabantiformes (Gouramies, snakeheads) >
Channidae (Snakeheads)
Etymology: Channa: Greek, channe, -es = an anchovy (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Bleeker.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 20°N - 15°S
Asia: Mekong in Thailand to Indonesia and the Philippines.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 30.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 30857)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 37 - 41; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 21 - 25. Preserved color dark greenish or bluish dorsally, yellowish or reddish brown ventrally; an inconspicuous spot behind corner of mouth; yellow spots on underside of depressed head occasionally. Pectorals about as long as head behind eyes. Large scales on top of head. Dorsal fin extends beyond tip of anal. Young specimens have a red lateral band from snout to caudal.
Obligate air-breathing (Ref. 126274); Inhabits medium to large rivers (Ref. 12975). Occurs in shaded forest streams with sluggish, acidic water and submerged roots/leaf litter substrates. Appears to be mainly nocturnal and feeds on small animals (Ref. 85309). Preys on fish (Ref. 12693).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Rainboth, W.J., 1996. Fishes of the Cambodian Mekong. FAO species identification field guide for fishery purposes. FAO, Rome, 265 p. (Ref. 12693)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00832 (0.00381 - 0.01816), b=2.98 (2.81 - 3.15), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 4.2 ±0.73 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low to moderate vulnerability (27 of 100).