Identification: Channa striata has an elongated cylindrical body, flattened head with a rosette of enlarged scales in the top of its head, eyes located on the anterior (front) part of the head, tubular nostrils, and a terminal mouth with a large, toothed, protruding lower jaw (Courtenay and Williams 2004). The dorsum (back) is dark brown to black with chevron-like markings extending the length of the body with a distinguishing dark stripe extending from the maxillary posteroventrally towards the opercular curvature (Courtenay and Williams 2004). Channa striata has an elongated dorsal fin with 37-46 rays, pectoral fin has 15-17 rays and measures half the length of the head, anal fin with 23-29 rays, and the caudal fin is rounded (Courtenay and Williams 2004). Juvenile C. striata are identified by their bright orange coloration (Li et al. 2016).
It has been noted that certain species of snakehead superficially resemble the North American native bowfin (Amia calva) due to their elongated bodies, tubular nostrils, and long dorsal (back) fins (Courtenay and Williams 2004). However, C. striata is distinguishable by the distinct rosette of flat scales on the top of its head, elongated anal fin, and thoracic pelvic fins (bowfin have pelvic fins that are located further back on the abdomen) (Courtenay and Williams 2004).
Channa striata has been misidentified as blotched snakehead (Channa maculate), but C. striata is distinguishable from other snakehead species by the dark stripe extending from the maxillary posteroventrally to the edge of the operculum (Courtenay and Williams 2004).
Channa striata has been recorded as a non-native on the island territory of Guam, USA. It has also been introduced in Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Madagascar (Courtenay and Williams 2004, Nico and Williams 2011).
Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Channa striata are found here.
Table last updated 4/12/2025
† Populations may not be currently present.
References: (click for full references)
Alikunhi, K.H. 1953. Notes on the bionomics, breedings and growth of the murrel, Ophicephalus striatus (Bloch): Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences, 38(1): 41-59.
Courtenay, W.R., Jr., and J.D. Williams. 2004. Snakeheads (Pisces: Channidae): A biological synopsis and risk assessment. Circular 1251, US Geological Survey, Gainesville, FL.
Lee, P.G., and P.K.L. Ng. 1991. The snakehead fishes of the Indo-Malayan Region. Nature Malaysiana, 16(4): 113-129.
Li, K.C., B.S. Shieh, Y.W. Chiu, D.J. Huang, and S.H. Liang. 2016. Growth, Diet Composition and Reproductive Biology of the Invasive Freshwater Fish Chevron snakehead Channa striata on a Subtropical Island. Zoological Studies, 55-53. doi: 10.6620/ZS.2016.55-53
Lowe-McConnell, R.H. 1987. Ecological studies in tropical fish communities: England, Cambridge University Press, 382 p.
Nico, L.G., and S.J. Walsh. 2011. Non-indigenous freshwater fishes on tropical Pacific islands: a review of eradication efforts. Pages 97-107 in Veitch, C.R., M.N. Clout, and D.R. Towns, eds. Island invasives: eradication and management. IUCN. Gland, Switzerland.
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.
