Their tolerance towards saltwater is yet to be tried, but it is believed that they would not be able to survive in marine water for so long. Their habitat also included waters where you can see lots of plantations. It pushes them to their best tolerance power, still, they can stay under the wet and muddy bottom temporarily. Some of the fishes can actually stay alive for a few days in a water body that is about to dry up. The fishes from this genus are found across India, Iraq, Myanmar, China, Afghanistan, and Russia (hence the part of Europe, because Russia is a cross-border country between the two continents of Asia and Europe). The Channa species is spread in the Asian zone in a specific way. In Africa, they are common in the Congo River, Chad River, and White Nile. The Parachanna genus is commonly found in Africa, especially in the West-Central Africa, in some places like Nigeria. The Snakeheads, based on their genera are found in two major continents, Asia and Africa, and in some parts of Europe. While commercial breeders are experts in catching or caring for large species, for beginners it is safe to go for medium-sized fishes. This is a tropical fish, with a lot of aggression instilled in it. You need to give a sufficient amount of attention to the pet one, regardless of its size. Although the study of the Channa species is not conclusive yet, and adequate research is being carried out to complete the same.Īs long as owning the Snakehead is concerned, smaller and larger species are equally popular. While the first genus has around 3 species included under it, the second genus is the larger one with around 51 (some says around 30+) species. There are mainly two genera known under this family and they are, Parachanna and Channa. Each species is different from the other, in regards to its appearance and characteristics. The Snakeheads are scientifically termed as Channidae, with multiple species included under it. In accordance with the size of the species Grey, yellow, orange, and blue (depending on the species) ![]() All important information has been given in a compact form in the below setion. Get animals in your inbox! Sign up to receive Zoo emails.You can get a quick idea regarding the entire family of fish, just by browsing through the table. This story appears in the September 2021 issue of National Zoo News. Snakeheads are a prime example of how invasive species can upset the delicate balance of local ecosystems. At the same time, populations of local frogs and fish that they prey upon have declined. With no natural predators to keep this aggressive, carnivorous fish in check, their populations have boomed. It is likely snakeheads were imported from overseas, then unlawfully released. Snakeheads are native to Southern Siberia, China and North Korea, but they were first spotted in waterways around the Washington, D.C., area in 2002. Our snakehead fish are ambassadors for their species, and they serve as an important reminder of why people should never release unwanted animals-especially non-native species-into the wild. If they aren’t swimming around when you first approach the exhibit, look closely at the bottom or in between the rock crevices-they are likely resting there! What do you hope visitors learn from meeting these fish? Snakeheads sport scales that are brown with dark, irregular blotches. Our only male seems quite shy and hides most of the time. Our most dominant female always eats first. ![]() When they notice keepers opening the door above the tank, they will swim up to the top and wait to be fed. The females often hunt for food together. They will even eat worms off of a feed stick! What are their personalities like? At the Zoo, we feed them mostly goldfish and crayfish. In the wild, they eat fish that are up to one-third their own body length, as well as frogs, beetles and dragonfly larvae. I’ve never worked with fish before, so taking care of them is all new to me! Feeding the snakeheads has been a fun and interesting experience. This enables it to survive for up to four days on land! What do you enjoy most about working with them? On land, it can take a big gulp of air through its mouth and continue to breathe, thanks to a specialized chamber next to its gills. Underwater, a snakehead absorbs oxygen through its gills, just like other fish. Snakehead fish have evolved to “walk” on land! They propel themselves forward by moving their head and back fin in opposite directions. What is your favorite fact about snakeheads? Get acquainted with this aquatic species from assistant curator of giant pandas Laurie Thompson. Recently, Asia Trail keepers welcomed four snakeheads-one male and three females-into their care. With an aggressive attitude, an eager appetite for fish and the ability to “walk” on land, the northern snakehead fish is a powerful predator.
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