Snakehead

The snakeheads are native to Africa and Asia. These elongated, predatory fish are distinguished by their long dorsal fins, large mouths, and shiny teeth. They breathe air with gills, as well as with suprabranchial organs developing when they grow older, which is a primitive form of a labyrinth organ. The two extant genera are Channa in Asia and Parachanna in Africa, consisting of about 35 species. The various species of snakeheads differ greatly in size. "Dwarf snakeheads", such as Channa gachua, grow to 25 cm (9.8 in). Most other snakeheads reach between 60 and 90 cm (24 and 35 in). Three species (Channa barca , Channa marulius and Channa micropeltes), can reach a length of more than 1 m (3 ft 3 in). Snakeheads are thrust-feeders which consume plankton, aquatic insects, and mollusks when small. As adults, they mostly feed on other fish, such as carp, or on frogs. In rare cases, small mammals such as rats are taken. For more information, visit the Wikipedia entry Get back to Perciformes

Giant snakehead

Northern snakehead