snakehead

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blotched snakehead

emperor snakehead

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snakehead

fish

Also known as: Channidae

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

emperor snakehead — emperor snakeheadEmperor snakehead (Channa marulioides).

snakehead, any of a number of species of freshwater fish of the family Channidae, found in Africa and Asia. Snakeheads, long-bodied and more or less cylindrical in cross section, have large mouths and long, single dorsal and anal fins; they range from about 10 to 90 cm (4 to 36 inches) long. Snakeheads are able to breathe atmospheric air with the aid of a pair of vascular cavities located near the gills. Carnivorous in habit, they can survive for extended periods out of water. In some areas, they are used as food.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Richard Pallardy.