Scientific Name of Snakehead - Channidae

Snakehead fish, belonging to the family Channidae, are originally from Asia and Africa. These species vary greatly in size with some measuring just 90 cms while others can reach up to 3 feet. Juvenile snakeheads feed on small organisms like mollusks and plankton, while the adults are carnivorous, preying on frogs and other fish.

Snakeheads are notorious for being an invasive species, causing significant ecological disruption. Remarkably, these fish can breathe air and can survive on land for up to four days. They can even move on land if it's damp, using their body and fins to wriggle along. Their high reproductive rate, with females releasing up to 150,000 eggs up to five times a year, makes them difficult to manage as an invasive species.

Snakeheads are grouped into three genera:

• Channa
• Parachanna
• Aenigmachanna

Different Snakehead Species and Their Scientific Names

• Northern snakehead – Channa argus
• Malabar snakehead – Channa diplogramma
• Ceylon snakehead – Channa orientalis
• Black snakehead – Channa melasoma
• Giant snakehead – Channa micropeltes
• Great snakehead – Channa marulius
• Blotched snakehead – Channa maculata

Discover more about snakeheads or other captivating creatures by signing up for Biology lessons.

Also Read:

• Scientific Names of the Most Common Animals and Plants
• Respiration in Fish | Aquatic Respiration – How do Fish Breathe in Water?
• Fish Life Cycle: Introduction, Life Cycle, FAQs
• Fish Production – Fish Farming and its Advantages
• Fish Skeletal System – General Features And Its Composition
• What Is A Predator? – Types, Adaptation and Examples