Snake Head Scientific Name: Taxonomy & Characteristics

Snakeheads are fish that belong to the family Channidae. These fish are indigenous to Africa and Asia. There are many species of snakeheads, each with its own sizes. Some only reach lengths of 90 cm, while others may reach heights of 3 feet. Infant snakeheads eat plankton and mollusks, whereas adults typically eat frogs and other fish. Additionally, they are an invasive species, causing massive ecological damage.

Key Takeaways: Snakehead, Taxonomy, Zoology, Northern Snakehead, Mlabar Snakehead, Omnivores, Ceylon Snakehead

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Taxonomy of Snakehead

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There are various types of Snakehead and they have different characteristics.Therefore, the scientific names of the Snakeheads vary from one type to the other. Before understanding their scientific names, let’s have a look at their basic taxonomy:

Read More: Classification of Animal Kingdom

Snakehead Channidae (Family)

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Characteristics of Snakehead

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Here are the basic characteristics of a Snakehead:

• Most species of the snakehead have an elongated body with a long head. 
• The lengthy, somewhat pointed head gives the fish an appearance similar to that of a snake. 
• Its scales have a mottled pattern of light and dark brown.
• These fish generally measure about three feet long when fully grown. 
• However, some exceptionally large individuals reach nearly five feet in length.
• Snakeheads are thrust-feeders that consume plankton, aquatic insects, and mollusks when small. 
• As adults, they mostly feed on other fish (such as carp) or on frogs. In rare cases, small rodents such as rats are eaten.

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Habitat of Snakehead

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• These fish live in freshwater habitats, and sometimes move into brackish water, a mixture of salt and freshwater. 
• Their most common habitats include ponds, lakes, swamps, streams, and other still or slow-moving waters. 
• They prefer habitats with muddy bottoms and vegetation to hunt for prey in.

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Distribution of Snakehead

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• This species occurs in China and into southeast Russia. 
• Invasive populations of snakeheads are found in Japan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, and some surrounding areas. 
• Additionally, the snakehead is also found in the various regions of the United States.

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Facts about Snakehead

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• There are so many species of snakehead that have been discovered. They mainly vary in size from 90 cm in length to 3 feet. 
• Babies of snakehead mainly consume molluscs and plankton while adult snakehead fish feed on frogs and other fishes. They are known to be invasive species which cause huge damage to their ecological surroundings. 
• They are known for their breathing process, as they can breathe air and are also able to survive on land for 4 to 5 days as they can crawl off the land by using their fins. 
• Each female snakehead fish is able to produce 150,000 eggs and because of this high reproducing capacity, it is really tough to control their growth in the surrounding. 

Snakeheads are classified into 3 genera, which are as follows:

1. Channa
2. Parachanna
3. Aenigmachanna

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Different Scientific Names of Snakehead Species

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• 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

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Things To Remember

• The snakeheads are members of the freshwater perciform fish family Channidae, native to parts of Africa and Asia. 
• These elongated, predatory fish are distinguished by their long dorsal fins, large mouths, and shiny teeth. 
• They breathe air with gills, which allows them to migrate short distances over land. 
• They are valuable as a food source and have become notorious as an intentionally released invasive species. 
• These fish have been kept as pets but as they get larger, people let them go into ponds, lakes, and rivers, making these fish invasive.
• Snakeheads are valuable food fish.

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