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Channa melasoma (Bleeker, 1851)
| Family Name: | Channidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Vertebrates (Fish) |
| Common Name: | Black Snakehead |
Name
Description
| Description | Body slender, head broad and relatively flat. Body grey to almost black; edges of caudal, anal and dorsal fins with very distinctive whitish margin; often a black spot at the posterior part of the dorsal fin. Fingerlings have black and orange stripes, and a white spot on top of the head. |
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Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Shaded forest streams with sluggish, acidic waters and submerged roots/leaf litter substrates. It appears to be largely nocturnal and feeds on small animals. |
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| Habitats | Forest, Freshwater |
| Distribution | In Singapore, known only from several streams in the Central Nature Reserves. The species occurs in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. |
| Nature Reserves | Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment Nature Reserve |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Habitat degradation. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | Large specimens can be used as food. This species is first reported from Singapore in 1990. |
| 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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