Dwarf Snakehead (Channa limbata)
 |
| A lone Dwarf Snakehead found in a shallow forest stream. Note the orange and blue stripes on the pectoral fins. (Photograph by: Lumin Ong) |
Family: Channidae
Species Name: Channa limbata
Common Name: Dwarf Snakehead
Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Freshwater forest streams
Conservation Status: Endangered (Red Data Book 3)
Our smallest and arguably most colourful snakehead species. While it can grow up to 20cm, it is usually seen at half that size or less in our forest streams where it moves slowly to ambush smaller fish and invertebrates. Like all snakeheads, the Dwarf Snakehead has the ability to breathe air and needs to gulp air from the surface occasionally. This ability allows them to traverse short distances over land in an event their home dries up. In Singapore, it is found in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, where it is quite restricted to the Nee Soon Swamp Forest and its surroundings.
References
Common Name: Dwarf Snakehead
Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Freshwater forest streams
Conservation Status: Endangered (Red Data Book 3)
Our smallest and arguably most colourful snakehead species. While it can grow up to 20cm, it is usually seen at half that size or less in our forest streams where it moves slowly to ambush smaller fish and invertebrates. Like all snakeheads, the Dwarf Snakehead has the ability to breathe air and needs to gulp air from the surface occasionally. This ability allows them to traverse short distances over land in an event their home dries up. In Singapore, it is found in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, where it is quite restricted to the Nee Soon Swamp Forest and its surroundings.
References
- Lim, K.P. and Ng, K.L. 1990. A Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre.
- National Parks Board (NParks). Freshwater Fishes. Retrieved from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nature/species-list/freshwater-fishes.
No comments:
Post a Comment