Family : Channidae (Snakeheads)
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Walking snakehead
Fish Name : Channa orientalis
Max size : 33.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 41236)
Environment : benthopelagic; potamodromous; pH range: 6 - 8; dH range: 5 - 19
Climate : tropical; 23 - 26°C
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Asia: Afghanistan and Baluchistan southward to Sri Lanka and eastward to Indonesia.
Diagnosis : Dorsal soft rays (total): 33-36; Anal soft rays: 21-23. Caudal fin roundly pointed.
Biology : A broadly adapted species occurring in rivers, lakes, ponds, mountain streams and even brackish water (Ref. 12693). Usually hides under the cover of marginal roots and bogwood. Found in quiet, shaded, clear, flowing water with a silt or gravel substrate (Ref. 6028). Can tolerate very stagnant, poorly oxygenated and turbid water. Also tolerates very foul water (Ref. 1479). Feeds largely on insects and crustaceans. A small percentage of fish is also included in the diet. Spawns in shallow water with a silt or gravel substrate. Tolerates a temperature of 36.5°C
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Talwar, P.K. and A.G. Jhingran. 1991. (Ref. 4833)

India country information
Common Names : Asiatic snakehead, மணியன் கொரவை, വട്ടുടി, വട്ടൂടി, വട്ടോന്, Chainga, Chayung, Cheng, Chenga, Chengal, Daku, Dheridhok, Dokrya, Dorrah, Erramatta, Korava, Korava, Malamatta gudisa, Manathu kannan, Maniam koravai, Manian koravai, Maniyan koravai, Mitei-ngamu, Mohkorava, Mottu, Parakoravai, Pothi meen, Tatimatta gudisa, Thunda, Vatton, Vattudi
Status : native
Salinity : freshwater
Uses : no uses