Channa micropeltes

(Cuvier, 1831)

Vernacular names
English : Giant snakehead
French : Tête-de-serpent géant

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Anabantiformes (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Channidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
One of the biggest species of its family, reaching a length of 130 cm for a weight of 20 kg. Elongated cylindrical body, large head with big eyes and wide mouth. Coloration is gray with dark bands and markings on flanks. White belly.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in South East Asia, from Thailand, Laos and Cambodia in the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins to Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Lives in swamps, rivers with deep slowly flowing water.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is an important food species in Asia but remains common the wild and cultured in many south-east Asian countries.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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