Order : Anabantiformes
Family : CHANNIDAE
Species : Channa limbata

Maximum length (including tail fin) : 32.9 cm
(Fishbase, 2026)

> Link to Fishbase (as Channa gachua)

Channa limbata (Dwarf Snakehead, Red-tailed Snakehead) is a bottom-dweller which mainly occurs in shallow forest streams, particularly in freshwater swamp forest.
 
Adults grow to around 20 cm total length. The body form is similar to other snakeheads i.e. a streamlined torpedo shape.

The origin of the dorsal fin is near the gill openings, and this extends along the entire length of the body. The anal fin is almost as long as dorsal. The fins are attractively marked with thick, orange-red borders, as is the rounded, convex tail fin. The extreme edge of the reddish border may be fringed with a narrow edge of white. The pectoral fins are rounded and possess a series of narrow, dark bars.

Predatory in habit, the diet of Channa limbata comprises insects and smaller fish prey.

Channa limbata occurs in parts of southern China, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and the islands of Borneo, Sumatra and Java.

Channa limbata was formerly treated as part of Channa gachua; the range of the latter stretches to western parts of Asia, including India and Afghanistan .

Fig 1 : A 15 cm adult in swamp forest habitat.

Fig 2 : Adult example in water just a few centimetres deep.

Fig 3 : This image shows the shape and typical patterning of the pectoral fins.

All examples are from Singapore.


References :

Ho Jonathan K. I., Sorain J. Ramchunder, Andrew Memory, Meryl Theng, Li Tianjiao, Esther Clews, Cai Yixiong, Tan Heok Hui & Darren C. J. Yeo. (2016). A Guide to the Freshwater Fauna of Nee Soon Swamp Forest.  Singapore: Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum & Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore. 139 pp.