Channa gachua (Hamilton, 1822)

Family: CHANNIDAE

Genus: Channa Scopoli

Body very elongate, almost cylindrical anteriorly and somewhat compressed posteriorly, head large, mouth fairly large. Dorsal and anal fin based long, pelvic fin sub abdominal.

Family: CHANNIDAE

Genus: Channa Scopoli

Body very elongate, almost cylindrical anteriorly and somewhat compressed posteriorly, head large, mouth fairly large. Dorsal and anal fin based long, pelvic fin sub abdominal.

Synonyms: Ophicephalus gachua Hamilton, 1822; Channa gachua Courtenay & Williams, 2014; O. limbatus Cuvier, 1831; O. gachua malaccensis Peters, 1869

Diagnosis: Dorsal fin rays 31 -37, anal 20-23 (-27), pectoral 15-17 Pelvic fin shorter than half the pectoral fin length. Sides of lower jaw with 1 -2 large scale, pectoral fin with 2 -6 black bars. Margins of caudal, dorsal and anal fin marked off with a distinct bluish – orange colour.Common names: Snakehead, gachua, hille

Distribution:

Punatsangchhu: Below Sunkosh bridge (Dagana)

Amochhu: Dorti khola (Chukha)

Altitude: 195-300 MASL

Conservation status: Least concern (IUCN)