Fauna
Species

Striped Snakehead

Channa striata

Also known as Common Snakehead, Chevron Snakehead, Snakehead Murrel, Mudfish

Striped snakeheads are predatory freshwater fish renowned for their remarkable ability to breathe atmospheric air using primitive lung-like suprabranchial organs. During prolonged dry spells, adults burrow into wetland mud or crawl clumsily across land using their pectoral fins to locate persistent pools of water. Both parents fiercely guard their floating orange-tinted egg masses and herd dense swarms of bright reddish fry until the juveniles develop cryptic adult coloration.

PredatorAir-BreathingFreshwater
Striped Snakehead reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySmall fish, Frogs, Freshwater prawns
Predators
  • Water monitor
  • Otter
  • Fishing cat
ThreatsOverfishing in native waterways and habitat drainage, though globally secure
HabitatsLakes, ponds, swamps, flooded rice paddies, and slow-moving rivers
Life span7–10 years
Classification
  1. FamilyChannidae
  2. SpeciesChanna striata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Possesses sharp teeth and powerful jaws; can inflict a lacerating bite if handled carelessly.
Why it is dangerous
Equipped with strong jaws lined with sharp canine-like teeth capable of inflicting deep puncture wounds and painful tears.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a cylindrical body with dark chevron-shaped diagonal stripes along the flanks and a flattened, snake-like head.
What to do
Do not insert fingers into the mouth or gill covers; use long-nosed pliers to unhook and support the body firmly.
Responsible observation
  • Handling Precautions: Use landing nets or lip grippers to avoid tooth lacerations when removing hooks.
  • Breathing Behavior: Watch quiet shallows and reed beds for rapid surface gulps of atmospheric air.
Related species
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