Order Perciformes Higher classification Channa | Phylum Chordata Family Channidae Scientific name Channa bleheri Rank Species | |
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Similar Channa, Snakehead, Channa gachua, Orange‑spotted snakehead, Small snakehead | ||
Channa bleheri (rainbow snakehead) is a fish with snakelike head, and it is the most colorful species of snakehead. This fish's main habitat is in India.
Contents
Channa bleheri channa andrao
Habitat
In the wild, this species primarily inhabits waters within the Indian state of Assam, and it is known in Assamese as sengeli or chengeli. Its binomial name honors the explorer Heiko Bleher.
Endemic to the Brahmaputra River basin, this fish has a type location at Dibrugarh, a city in the northeastern part of Assam. Its closest relative appears to be Channa burmanica, which is endemic to northern Burma.
Popularity, color, and size
This species is one of the favorite snakeheads for aquariums because of the colors that inspired its common name. Juveniles that have reached one centimetre (0.4 in) have yellow bodies, and adults have large orange or red spots.
This fish grows to twenty centimetres (7.9 in). Because that length is less than twenty-five centimetres (9.8 in), this fish is among a group known informally as dwarf snakeheads.
Reproduction and movement
Among dwarf snakeheads, it is the only nestbrooder; all others are mouthbrooders. Females, which are smaller than males, appear to initiate courtship, although the male selects the nesting site, and both parents will guard the larvae.
The adult male and female move near the surface for sex. These fish are benthopelagic, meaning that they mostly dwell near the bottom of bodies of water.
Environmental and legal issues
The federal government in the U.S. is concerned that release of this fish into U.S. waters could harm the environment. This predator could kill native species, especially in southern areas such as Florida, Texas, and Hawaii that have a warm climate similar to Assam's climate.
Accordingly, it is illegal in the United States to possess, import, or sell these fish or their eggs. Violations of this law have occurred in various states (e.g. Kentucky and Georgia).