Family : Channidae (Snakeheads)
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Giant snakehead
Fish Name : Channa micropeltes
Max size : 130 cm SL (male/unsexed; Ref. 30857); max. published weight: 20.0 kg (Ref. 4835)
Environment : benthopelagic; potamodromous ; depth range - 100 m
Climate : tropical; 25 - 28°C; 10°N - 1°N
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Assuming tmax>10)Distribution : Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins; the Malay Peninsula, and the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Material from India usually referred to as this species actually represents a distinct species.
Diagnosis : A broad, dark longitudinal stripe in adults; two black longitudinal stripes with a bright orange intermediate area in juveniles (Ref. 27732).
Biology : Occurs in lowland river and swamp (Ref. 57235). Usually associated with deep water bodies (Ref. 27732). Found in large streams and canals (Ref. 4833), with standing or slowly flowing water (Ref. 12693). Feeds mainly on fish but also takes some crustaceans. Spawns in small streams with dense vegetation (Ref. 56749). Utilized as a food fish (Ref. 4931). Economic important mainly from capture fisheries (Ref. 57235)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Roberts, T.R.. 1989. (Ref. 2091)

India country information
Common Names : Malabar snakehead, വാക വരാല്, പുലി വാക, പുള്ളി വാക, Puli vaka, Vaaka varaal
Status : misidentification
Salinity : freshwater
Uses : no uses