The freshwater snakehead Channa striata, has a wide range of habitats ranging from rivers, lakes, ponds, canals, creeks, flooded rice paddies, irrigation reservoirs, and swamps.
They earn their name because their flattened shape and the scales on their heads are reminiscent of the large epidermal scales on snakes. The striped snakehead has a long body characterized with dark black-brown on the upper section of its body, and bands of a white on its belly.
The fish is carnivorous and consumes fish, frog, snakes, insects, earthworms and tadpoles, therefore its flesh claimed to be rejuvenating, particularly for those recuperating from a serious illness.
These fish are naturally distributed from south-eastern Iran and eastern Afghanistan eastwards to China, northwards to Siberia and southwards to Java, and from the White Nile westwards to the Senegal and Chad river drainages and southwards to the Congo river drainage in Africa.
They are also an invasive species, causing massive ecological damage. These fish are also known to breathe air and also able to survive on land for up to 4 days. Interestingly, these fish can crawl on land (provided it is wet) by wriggling with its body and fins.
Fish species of Channa striata
