Distribution:
Africa and southern Asia
Habitat:
Freshwater
Remarks:
The Snakeheads are so-named for their broad head, cylindrical body, and relatively compressed tail. Other snakelike features include a deeply angled mouth and heavy scales. These freshwater fishes are found only in tropical Africa and southern Asia. They also vary in length, ranging between 15 cm to 1 m.
This family consists of two genera, Channa (26) and Parachanna (3), with 29 species.
References: Nelson 2006; Wheeler 1975