Rainbow snakehead
Channa bleheri
FAMILY
Channidae
TAXONOMY
Channa bleheri Vierke, 1991, upper portion of Dibru River, near Guijan, Brahmaputra River basin, northeastern Assam, India.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Length 3.9 in (10 cm), one of the smallest snakeheads. Has relatively large scales (LL=42–46), no pelvic fins, and a single large scale on each side of the underside of the lower jaw. One of the most colorful snakeheads, has very distinctive 4–11 medium-to-large irregular red or orange spots on the caudal fin which sometimes coalesce; and pectoral fins with a black spot at the base and 7–9 black concentric bands.
DISTRIBUTION
Endemic to Brahmaputra River basin, northern Assam, India.
HABITAT
Forest streams, swamps, and ponds connected with the Brahmaputra River.
BEHAVIOR
Highly capable of terrestrial movement.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Nothing known, but is probably a predator feeding on insects, crustaceans, and small fishes.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
The species guards the eggs, which float at the water surface.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened, but because of its relatively small, highly restricted distribution, along with its popularity among aquarists, there is a possibility that over-collecting of natural populations may cause a serious decline in the future.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Due to some spiritual reasons, not considered a food fish by the local Assam populace (the Assamese common name means "ghost [or spirit] snakehead"); a popular aquarium fish.
