Forest Snakehead (Channa lucius)
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| A mid-sized Forest Snakehead found resting at the bottom of a stream by the forest edge. (Photograph by: Lumin Ong) |
Family: Channidae
Species Name: Channa lucius
Common Name: Forest Snakehead
Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Forest streams and catchments.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)
A large and attractive species easily recognizable by the rows of black spots along the sides of its body. It also has yellow dots scattered across its fins. This uncommon species grows to a max length of 40cm, with large adults inhabiting the flanks of catchments and smaller individuals being found more in swamp forest streams. Like all snakeheads, they are predatory and feed on a variety of smaller animals via ambush. It can also breathe air, allowing it to survive short durations outside of water which it uses to help seek out new water bodies if its previous one dried up.
Common Name: Forest Snakehead
Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Forest streams and catchments.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)
A large and attractive species easily recognizable by the rows of black spots along the sides of its body. It also has yellow dots scattered across its fins. This uncommon species grows to a max length of 40cm, with large adults inhabiting the flanks of catchments and smaller individuals being found more in swamp forest streams. Like all snakeheads, they are predatory and feed on a variety of smaller animals via ambush. It can also breathe air, allowing it to survive short durations outside of water which it uses to help seek out new water bodies if its previous one dried up.
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| A small Forest Snakehead swimming out from under a leaf. |
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.
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