perciform fish snakehead family The snakeheads are members of the freshwater perciform fish family *Channidae*, native to parts of Africa and Asia. These elongated, predatory fish are distinguished by their long dorsal fins, large mouths, and shiny teeth. They breathe air with gills, which allows them to migrate short distances over land. They are valuable as a food source and have become notorious as an intentionally released invasive species. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snakehead_(fish)] channidae requires discussion