Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.12-0.29)
Distribution:
Asia: native to large rivers in the Indian subcontinent (Ref. 12693). Has been so widely transported in connection to aquaculture that its natural distribution can no longer be determined (Ref. 33488).
Inhabits fast flowing streams and rivers (Ref. 41236). Can tolerate high levels of salinity. Juveniles are omnivorous to about 5 cm TL, adults are almost entirely herbivorous. Feeds on plankton, but also grazes on algae. Spawning occurs in marginal areas of the water body with a depth of 50-100 cm over a sand or clay substrate. A 6 kg female can lay a million eggs (of 1 mm diameter) (Ref. 6028). Widely cultured in India but fails to breed naturally in ponds, thus induced breeding is done. Fishery harvests 40 cm fish weighing 1000 g and of about 3 years. A very active fish that thrives in ponds but spawns in swift rivers. Fingerlings are in great demand for stocking ponds between July and November (Ref. 4832)
100.0 cm SL (male/unsexed; Ref. 2686); max. published weight: 3,000 g (Ref. 40637)
Environment:
benthopelagic; potamodromous; pH range: 7 - 8; dH range: 20 ; depth range 1 - 10 m
Climate:
tropical; 23 - 27°C; 35°N - 18°S
Global Importance:
fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience:
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.21; tm=1.5; Fec = 324)
Distribution:
Asia: Pakistan to Thailand and south China. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Diagnosis:
Dorsalspines (total): 0-0; Dorsalsoft rays (total): 38-43; Analspines: 0-0; Analsoft rays: 23-27. Body sub-cylindrical; head depressed; caudal fin rounded (Ref. 2847). The dorsal surface and sides is dark and mottled with a combination of black and ochre, and white on the belly; a large head reminiscent of a snake's head; deeply-gaping, fully toothed mouth; very large scales (Ref. 44091).
Biology:
Inhabits ponds, streams and rivers, preferring stagnant and muddy water of plains (Ref. 41236). Found mainly in swamps, but also occurs in the lowland rivers. More common in relatively deep (1-2 m), still water. Very common in freshwater plains (Ref. 4515, 57235). Occurs in medium to large rivers, brooks, flooded fields and stagnant waters including sluggish flowing canals (Ref. 12975). Survives dry season by burrowing in bottom mud of lakes, canals and swamps as long as skin and air-breathing apparatus remain moist (Ref. 2686) and subsists on the stored fat (Ref. 1479). Feeds on fish, frogs, snakes, insects, earthworms, tadpoles (Ref. 1479) and crustaceans (Ref. 2847). Undertakes lateral migration from the Mekong mainstream, or other permanent water bodies, to flooded areas during the flood season and returns to the permanent water bodies at the onset of the dry season (Ref. 37770). During winter and dry season, its flesh around coelomic cavity is heavily infested by a larval trematode Isoparorchis hypselobargi. Other parasites infecting this fish include Pallisentis ophicephali in the intestine and Neocamallanus ophicepahli in the pyloric caecae (Ref. 1479). Processed into pra-hoc, mam-ruot, and mam-ca-loc (varieties of fish paste) in Kampuchea (Ref.4929). Perhaps the main food fish in Thailand, Indochina and Malaysia (Ref. 2686). Firm white flesh almost bone-free, heavy dark skin good for soup and usually sold separately (Ref. 2686). In Hawaiian waters the largest specimen taken reportedly exceeded 150 cm (Ref. 44091). Very economic important on both cultures and captures throughout southern and southeastern Asia (Ref. 57235)
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.2)
Distribution:
Asia: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Yunnan in China.
Biology:
Found in ponds, swamps, brackish water (Ref. 6028), ditches and beels (Ref. 1479). Prefers stagnant waters in muddy streams (Ref. 4833). Feeds on worms, insects and small fish (Ref. 6028). Accepts chopped fish and shrimp in the aquarium. Breeds throughout the year. Mitochondrial hypertrophy, noted in the double cone of the retina of this species, is considered a basic process in oil droplet formation (Ref. 10557) believed to be an adaptation for enhanced visual contrast detection in turbid waters (Ref. 10407). Used as live bait for angling larger snakeheads
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:
Not Evaluated, see IUCN Red List , (Ref. 36508)
Dangerous:
harmless
Coordinator:
Sri Lanka country information
Common names:
Smooth-breasted snakehead, Brown snakehead, Kola kanaya, Parandal kanaya
Sri lanka is report to have varieties of Fresh Water Fishes. Among them there are endemic species that can be found only in sri lanka. Most of them are near extinction due to deforestation over-fishing, pollution.Our main objective is to give and idea about these species and the importance of conservation.
