Channa orientalis Bloch & Schneider, 1801

[I] Spotted snakehead

Taxonomy. Original description: Ophicephalus orientalis Bloch & Schneider, 1801: 496, pl. 90 (lower fig.) [Probably southwestern Sri Lanka [East Indies]; No types known. Type catalog: Paepke 1993:255].— Afghanistan synonyms: None.—Revisions: None.—Illustration: Bloch & Schneider (1801: pl. 90, lower fig.) as Ophicephalus orientalis .

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Talwar and Jhingram (1991).—Afghanistan material: CMN.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Kabul River.—General distribution:South Asia:southwestern Sri Lanka endemic.—Habitat: This species inhabits freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, and tanks, generally in the plains, and is also found in rice fields and irrigation channels. Adults prefer stagnant waters in muddy streams and breed throughout the year. Freshwater.

Economic importance. Locally consumed, but of no commercial importance.

Reasons of introduction. Ornamental fish industry.

Conservation. Not relevant (introduced species).