Suborder Channoidei
Snakeheads are freshwater predatory fishes with a large robust head. There are 5 species in Singapore - 4 native and 1 introduced. The Common Snakehead (Channa striata) is the snakehead one is likely to encounter. It is generally brown in colour with faint stripes on the flanks. The Giant Snakehead (Channa micropeltes) is the largest snakehead species reaching 1 m in length. The adult has a distinctive dorsal stripe pattern. The juvenile lacks this pattern, but has the longitudinal stripe at the side of the body. It is however not a native to Singapore waters. The Black Snakehead (Channa melasoma) may appear all black or with just the fins black.
Snakeheads (Family Channidae)
Common Snakehead Channa striata
Dwarf Snakehead Channa gachua
Giant Snakehead Channa micropeltes - Introduced
Forest Snakehead Channa lucius
Black Snakehead Channa melasoma
Black Snakehead at Peirce area ©Ben Lee
Giant Snakehead at Lower Peirce ©Ben Lee
Common Snakehead at Botanic Gardens ©Lau SY
Common Snakeheads at Lower Peirce ©Tan KH
Common Snakehead at Chinese Garden ©Tan KH
Common Snakehead at Kranji Marsh ©Tan KH
Common Snakehead with its fries at Botanic Garden ©Tan KH
Common Snakehead at Sungei Buloh ©Tan KH
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