Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 49 - 54; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 32 - 38.

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Anabantiformes

Family: Channidae

Genus: Channa

Species: Channa argus (Cantor, 1842)

Climate Zone

Location

• Asia: Amur southward to Xi Jiang and Hainan Island, China (Ref. 82587). Introduced elsewhere. Japan (Ref. 6094) and the USA (Ref. 51238) report adverse ecological impact after introduction.

Biology

Obligate air-breathing (Ref. 126274); Can stay out of the water for 3 to 4 days at temperatures ranging from 10 to 15°C (Ref. 37350). Is a typical ambush predator that lies in wait for its prey on the bottom. Hunts mainly in the morning and in the evening, feeding primarily on fish (Ref. 12569). Matures at the age of 2 years and length of 30 cm. Spawns in June and July (Ref. 56557). Eggs are pelagic. Utilized for human consumption.

Habitat

benthopelagic

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Threat to Humans

Potential pest