Spotted Snakehead

Channa punctata

The spotted snakehead (Channa punctata) is a freshwater fish in the family Channidae, native to the Indian subcontinent. Adults reach about 30 cm with an elongated, cylindrical body, a large flattened head with a wide mouth, and a continuous dorsal fin. Coloration is olive-green to brown with irregular dark spots and blotches. This species inhabits ponds, swamps, canals, and slow-moving rivers at depths of 0-3 meters throughout India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Myanmar. Spotted snakeheads possess an accessory breathing organ that allows them to breathe atmospheric air, enabling them to survive in stagnant, oxygen-poor waters and even travel short distances over land. They are voracious ambush predators feeding on fish, frogs, insects, and crustaceans. As one of the most resilient freshwater fish in South Asia, they are found in virtually every type of freshwater habitat and are an important food fish throughout their range.