''Channa punctata'', the spotted snakehead, is a species of snakehead. It is found in the Indian Subcontinent and nearby areas, ranging across

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, Sri Lanka,

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and

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. Its natural habitats are swamps, ponds and brackish water systems. It is a fish of high food value and has little value as aquarium fish.

Description

Channa punctatus normally grows to around in length, but males up to have also been captured. The spotted snakehead is listed as Least Concern in IUCN, due to lack of major threats to this species populations. The species is mainly a carnivore. Favorite food of this species is other small fishes yolk flies and fish larvae. In its natural habitat, it consumes crustaceans, molluscs, insects, small fishes, semi-digested materials and sometimes plants. Its feeding habit changes seasonally. The intensity of feeding is low in mature fishes during the spawning period. Juvenile fish has constant habit of food.

References

External links

* * * punctata Freshwater fish of Sri Lanka Fish described in 1793 {{Anabantiformes-stub