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Snakehead (fish)

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Snakehead
Channa argus
Template:Regnum:Animalia
Template:Phylum:Chordata
Template:Classis:Actinopterygii
Template:Ordo:Perciformes
Template:Familia:Channidae
Genera
Channa
Parachanna

A snakehead is any of about 31 species of the freshwater fish family Channidae. They are found in the Indo-Pacific region, epecially China and Sri Lanka, where they are considered a delicacy. The predatory fish have a long dorsal fin, small head, large mouth and teeth, and can survive on land for a short period of time (compare eel). They feed on other fish, earthworms, insects, aquatic birds and, occasionally, small mammals such as rats. Adult snakeheads can reach a length of 1 meter and a weight of more than 6 kilograms.

Between 2002 and 2004, there have been snakeheads found in the wild in the Washington, DC area, prompting fears that it could become an invasive species and cause ecological damage. The snakeheads were probably brought into the area for food purposes, but were then released for unknown reasons.

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