Scientific Name: Channa striata (Bloch, 1793)
Synonym: Channa striatus, Channa striatas (Currently unaccepted)
English Name: Striped snakehead
Local/Bangla Name: Shol mach (শোল মাছ)
Photo: Balaram Mahalder
Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Teleostei
Order: Anabantiformes
Family: Channidae
Description:
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 38-43; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 23 – 27. Body is sub-cylindrical with depressed head. Caudal fin rounded. The dorsal surface and sides is dark and mottled with a combination of black and ochre, and white on the belly. A large head reminiscent of a snake’s head; deeply-gaping, fully toothed mouth. Very large scales are present.
Habitat & Distribution in Bangladesh:
Inhabit ponds, streams and rivers, preferring stagnant and muddy water of plains. Found mainly in swamps, but also occurs in the lowland rivers.
Environment:
Freshwater, Brackish (Benthopelagic)
References:
Rahman AKA (2005) Freshwater Fishes of Bangladesh. 2nd ed. Zool. Soc. Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. xviii + 394 pp.
Siddiqui KU, Islam MA, Kabir SMH, Ahmad M, Ahmed ATA, Rahman AKA, Haque EU, Ahmed ZU, Begum ZNT, Hasan MA, Khondker M and Rahman MM (eds.) (2007) Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh. Vol. 23. Freshwater Fishes. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka. 300+xxxi. pp.
DoF Bangladesh (2023) Album: Freshwater Fishes of Bangladesh, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh, Dhaka. 200 pp.
