Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 37 - 41; Anal soft rays: 25 - 30; Vertebrae: 43 - 48. Patch of scales present on gular portion. Head and body with 2 bold stripes running from the tip of the snout to the middle of the caudal fin, one on the upper and the other on the lower part of the body; with growth the bands gradually break up into several (5-9) black blotches in adults (Ref. 41526). Belly with oblique bars; 5 scale rows between lateral line and base of anterior dorsal rays (Ref. 43281).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Anabantiformes

Family: Channidae

Genus: Channa

Species: Channa lucius (Cuvier, 1831)

Climate Zone

Location

• Asia: Thailand to Indonesia.

Biology

Obligate air-breathing (Ref. 126274); Inhabits slow moving streams and rivers, as well as lakes, ponds (Ref. 12693) and swamps (Ref. 57235). A common species in forest streams (Ref. 56749). Often found in areas with plenty of aquatic vegetation, as well as submerged woody plants. Feeds on fishes, prawns, and crabs and slightly less on shrimps. Marketed fresh and often alive (Ref. 12693).

Habitat

benthopelagic

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Threat to Humans

Harmless