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Template:Taxobox begin Template:Taxobox image Template:Taxobox begin placement Template:Taxobox regnum entry Template:Taxobox phylum entry Template:Taxobox classis entry Template:Taxobox ordo entry Template:Taxobox familia entry Template:Taxobox end placement Template:Taxobox section subdivision Channa
Parachanna Template:Taxobox end

A snakehead is any of about 31 species of the freshwater fish family Channidae. They are found in tropical Africa and 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.

External links

• AP article about a second snakehead fish found in Potomac
• ITIS entry

The term snakehead is also used for Chinese gangs that engage in alien smuggling.