Channidae, Fowler, 1934

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 814

Family Channidae

Snakeheads

Snakeheads are mid-sized to large freshwater fishes that are characterised by an elongate, rounded body that becomes compressed posteriorly, long and spineless dorsal and anal fins, and by paired accessory organs or suprabranchial organs in the upper gill chamber (above and behind the gills) which enable these fishes to breathe air. There are approximately 50 species (plus many undescribed) in the Asian genus Channa and three species in the African genus Parachanna . The fossil record of snakeheads extends from the upper Eocene of Egypt to Central Europe and Asia. The smallest snakeheads reach approximately 100 mm, while the largest reported individual is 1800 mm long. All species are considered thrust predators, with most being piscivorous as adults. Snakeheads inhabit still waters, although some are found in larger rivers or along margins of fast-flowing streams. Most species construct a bubble nest in vegetation,

Channa montana ; Kaju drainage, Iran; ~ 100 mm SL.© H. Mousavi-Sabet.

with the eggs laid and fertilised below the nest so that they float up into the bubbles. Others are mouthbrooders, and some feed their young with unfertilised eggs. One or both adults guard the nest, and young attacking intruders with great ferocity, including humans. Several species are highly valued as food fish within parts of their native ranges, where they are an important part of capture fisheries and aquaculture. They can be transported alive, wrapped in wet clothes or vegetation, and introduced in areas outside their natural distribution. Several Asian species have been introduced outside of their native range. Four snakehead species are thought to have entered North America through the aquarium and live-food fish markets and are now spreading. Channa maculata and C. striata have already established a wide non-native range in the tropics, including Hawaii and Madagascar. Further reading. Walter et al. 2004 (invasion); Murray 2006 (fossil record); Conte-Grand et al. 2017 (molecular diversity).