Channa bankanensis

(Bleeker, 1853)

Vernacular names
English : Bangka snakehead
French : Tête-de-serpent de Bangka

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Anabantiformes (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Channidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
This species grows up to 30 cm long. Head flattened but with blunt round snout. Coloration overall reddish-brown with clearer belly and a row of large blotches on flanks (becoming less distinct in adults). Adult males have silvery dots on flanks whereas females can get much redder. Similar to C. lucius but with rounder head, redder coloration and spots on dorsal, anal and caudal fins instead of bars.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in southeast Asia, in central peninsular Malaysia between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, southern half of Sumatra, south-west and western Kalimantan as well as Bangka and Belitung islands. It is a blackwater stream and peatswamp specialist.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is under threat from habitat loss as blackwater streams and peatswamps have undergone large scale destruction in most of Southeast Asia. It is still numerous in suitable habitat and has a large range.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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