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Channa gachua (Hamilton, 1822)
| Family Name: | Channidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Vertebrates (Fish) |
| Common Name: | Dwarf Snakehead |
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Name
Description
| Description | Body slender, head broad and flattened. Body pale brown; dorsal, caudal and anal fins green to bluish with bright red or orange margins; pectoral fins with black bars. |
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Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Shaded and shallow small streams and pools in swamp-forest. This nocturnal predator feeds on small fish, insects and crustaceans. It practices intensive parental care with the male brooding his eggs and fry in his mouth. |
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| Habitats | Forest, Freshwater, Freshwater Swamp Forest |
| Distribution | In Singapore, known only from parts of the Central Nature Reserves. This species occurs in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. |
| Nature Reserves | Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Habitat degradation and illegal collecting. The species was reported as extinct in 1966 but was rediscovered in 1989. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | Sometimes sold as an aquarium fish. |
| Conservation Notes | Continued protection of its natural habitat in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve from human impacts, and strict policing against illegal fishing. |
Status
| Species Status | Native |
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| Conservation Status | Rare |
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Critically Endangered (CR) [2008] |
Photos
References
| References | Baker, N. & Lim, K. 2008. Wild animals of Singapore. Singapore: Draco Publishing and Distribution Pte Ltd. 180pp Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp |
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