Two of the earliest known species, Eochanna chorlakkiensis and Anchichanna kuldanensis, have both been found in the Middle Eocene of Pakistan. They likely originated in the south Himalayan region of the Indian subcontinent (modern-day northern India and eastern Pakistan) at least 50 million years ago (Mya), during the Early Eocene epoch. The Channidae are well represented in the fossil record and known from numerous specimens.

In rare cases, small rodents such as rats are eaten. As adults, they mostly feed on other fish (such as carp) or on frogs. Snakeheads are thrust-feeders that consume plankton, aquatic insects, and mollusks when small. striata) can reach 1 m (3 ft 3 in) or more.

Most other snakeheads reach between 30 and 90 cm (12 and 35 in). The various species of snakeheads differ greatly in size dwarf snakeheads, such as Channa orientalis, do not surpass 25 cm (10 in) in length. These fish have been kept as pets but as they get larger, people let them go into ponds, lakes, and rivers, making these fish invasive.

They are valuable as a food source and have become notorious as an intentionally released invasive species. The two extant genera are Channa in Asia and Parachanna in Africa, consisting of more than 50 species. They have suprabranchial organs, which are primitive forms of labyrinth organs, that develop when they grow older. They breathe air with gills, which allows them to migrate short distances over land. These elongated, predatory fish are distinguished by their long dorsal fins, large mouths, and shiny teeth. The snakeheads are members of the freshwater perciform fish family Channidae, native to parts of Africa and Asia.

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