Orange-spotted snakehead

Channa aurantimaculata

Channa aurantimaculata (Latin: " aurantium " = orange, " maculatus " = spot ) is a native of the northeastern India Type of snakeheads ( Channidae ). The four parameter types for the first description of the newly described only in 2000 type date from the Brahmaputralauf in eastern Assam.

Features

The body of Channa aurantimaculata is of a dark brownish color, mixed with seven to eight golden orange vertical stripes and a few irregular patches. The pectoral fins are patterned by five vertical black bands. Also the fin base is black. The body is elongated, relatively slender and in cross section in the front body of approximately circular, the rear body is laterally flattened. The body height is the Dorsal approach at its highest, the widest point is at the pectoral fin base. Channa aurantimaculata has 50 to 52 vertebrae ( 45-48 4 or 5). The head is long (31 to 32.8% of standard length ), the snout broadly rounded and forward. The foot length is 44.6 to 45.9 % of head length and the maxilla extends to behind the rear edge of the eye.

The premaxilla is busy in the front row with numerous conical small teeth, a second row of teeth with larger teeth is behind it. Other small conical teeth and three more sitting on the front vomer. The palatine bone is covered with a selection of sized teeth, including 7 or 8 large fangs. In the lower jaw there are small to medium-sized teeth, as well as 5 or 6 large fangs. On each side of the mandible base are each two characteristic large scales. Between the eyes of the head is flat. Viewed from the side does not touch the upper rim of the eyes, the back line.

Dorsal and anal fins are very long and can reach 65 to 67.5 and 40.1 to 41.8 % of standard length. The pelvic fins are less than half as long as the pectoral fins and reached only 7.6 to 8.5 % of the standard length. The pectoral fins and the caudal fin are rounded.

• Fins formula: Dorsal 45-47, 28-30 anal, pectoral 15-16, Ventral 6, caudal 14
• Dandruff formula: 4,5-5,5 / 25-28 51-54/11-12 ;/; 8-12 rows of scales on the throat; Scales before the dorsal fin 13-15.

The species is up to 40 cm tall.