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Snakeheads

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Snakeheads

Drawing of a snakehead


General information

This fish is declared noxious in Queensland. It is unlawful to possess noxious fish alive or dead or to use them as bait. It is illegal to place or release noxious fish alive or dead into Queensland waterways. Penalties of up to $200,000 apply.

Scientific name

Channa spp
Description
  • the 27 species differ in colour and size, but are generally elongate and cylindrical in shape
  • all species have long-based dorsal and anal fins
  • one of the smaller snakeheads grows to 18 cm, while larger species reach over 1 m and 20 kg.
Distribution
  • native to freshwaters of tropical Africa and Asia
  • have established in many areas outside their natural range.
Habitat
  • inhabit lakes, rivers, ponds and swamps with silt or gravel bottoms
  • all species can tolerate turbid and poorly oxygenated water.
Diet
  • mainly eat small fish, but one species, the giant snakehead, has been reported to eat waterbirds, snakes and rodents.
Environmental impact
  • considered noxious in Queensland because they are able to live in poor environmental conditions, their air-breathing capability allows them to disperse widely and they are highly predatory.

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Page maintained by Greg Ringwood and Steph Byrne
Last updated 19 March 2010

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