Ceylon snakehead
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| Channa orientalis (Ceylon snakehead) | |
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| Species: | C. orientalis
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| Channa orientalis Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801
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The Ceylon snakehead (Channa orientalis) is a snakehead species. They are freshwater fish that grow to a maximum size of 30 cm (4 in), so are a member of the informal dwarf snakeheads. They originate from southwest of the island of Sri Lanka. They are predatory fish that feed on plankton, insects, and sometimes small amphibians. They can breathe on land for short periods of time depending on the weather. During wet weather, they can survive on land for more than four days, but if their bodies dry up, they die. They are hardy fish that can survive environmental changes and have a good tolerance to high acidity in water. The Ceylon snakehead is, according to existing reports, a mouth brooder. The male carries the eggs while the female guards the territory. The male is less active during this period and is often seen close to the surface. The fry remain with the male until they can take care of themselves. Females may catch stray fry and return them to the mouth of the male. The fry are ejected via the gill openings. They are called ulka in Bengali.
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