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Lefraguri Swamp, Brahmaputra basin, Western Assam, India
India, Assam, near Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon districts
Channa andrao lives in small, slow-moving hill streams and seasonal forest pools near the Brahmaputra River in western Assam, close to the Bhutan border. These shallow streams usually less than half a meter deep flow gently through forested valleys.
The water is shaded by thick growths of bamboo, wild cane, and large forest trees. Dead leaves, twigs, and branches collect in the stream, forming a soft, leaf-litter bottom. This natural debris not only turns the water tea-brown but also provides perfect cover for the fish to rest, hide, or guard their territory. These quiet, shaded waters suit the shy nature of Channa andrao, especially during the breeding season.
- Submitted by
- Devagya Uikey
- Approved by
- Hans-Georg Evers & Friedrich Bitter
- GPS
- 26.5755386, 89.7926483
- Geographical region
- Southern Asia
- Drainage Basin
- Brahmaputra
- River catchment
- Raidak River
- Water body type
- hill-streams
- Water body name
- Unnamed stream
- Water body part
- Flood plain
- Water body course
- Headwaters
- Water body: tributary of
- Wetland
- Tributary name
- Lefraguri Swamp
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Water Chemistry
Water information
- Water type
- fresh-water
- Water color
- Clear water
- Water transparency
- High
- Concentration of sediments
- Low
- Water temperature
- 22–28°C °C
- Water flow/curent
- Slow
Chemical parameters
- pH
- 7.8
- Conductivity
- 200
- GH
- 7 mg/l
- dGH
- KH
- 4 mg/l
- dKH
- Dissolved Oxygen
- 45 %
Substrate in nature
- Sand
- Beige
- Pebble/Gravel
- Mixed
- Stone
- Brown
- Stone form
- Flat
- Silt/Mud
- Brown
- Leaves
- Adundant
- Driftwood
- Many
- Submerged terrestrial vegetation
- Yes
Aquatic Biotope
- Date of collecting
- Collecting area
- Water depth
- Air temperature
- Sunlight
- Filtered/dappled sun
Environment
- Environment
- Affected by human activity
- Affected by human activity
- Deforestation
- Deforestation
- Advanced
- Surrounding area
The region has a warm, humid subtropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. During the monsoon, streams overflow into still forest pools, where Channa andrao takes shelter and breeds.
The riparian zone is lined with bamboo, wild banana, and native trees like Terminalia bellirica and Dipterocarpus turbinatus. These plants drop leaves and branches into the stream, enriching the water with organic material and tannins, creating a cool, shaded, and nutrient-rich habitat.
- Underwater landscape
The water is soft, tannin-stained, and slightly acidic to neutral depending on season and flow. The bottom is made up of light beige sand, scattered pebbles, dark silt, and a thick layer of decomposing leaves and twigs. Driftwood and branch tangles form hiding places. Aquatic vegetation is sparse but includes Cryptocoryne crispatula, Hygrophila polysperma, Limnophila sessiliflora, and floating Salvinia cucullata in calm zones. The water is tea-colored with low to moderate oxygen saturation (~45-55%).
Fish list:
- Channa andrao (Channidae)
- Danio assamila (Danionidae)
- Pethia conchonius (Cyprinidae)
- Gudusia chapra (Clupeidae)
- Dario dario (Badidae)
- Channa aurantimaculata (Channidae)
- Acanthocobitis pavonacea (Nemacheilidae)
Aquatic plant list:
- Cryptocoryne crispatula (Araceae)
- Hygrophila polysperma (Acanthaceae)
- Limnophila sessiliflora (Plantaginaceae)
- Rotala rotundifolia (Lythraceae)
Terrestrial vegetation list:
- Dipterocarpus turbinatus (Dipterocarpaceae)
- Terminalia bellirica (Combretaceae)
- Bambusa nutans (Poaceae)
- Musa balbisiana (Musaceae)
- Salix tetrasperma (Salicaceae)
Wetland plant list:
- Salvinia cucullata (Salviniaceae)
- Threats to ecology
- Deforestation and bamboo cutting reduce shade and leaf litter input.
- Agricultural runoff from rice fields and tea plantations brings chemicals into the stream. Seasonal streams are often diverted or drained, especially near settlements.
- Plastic waste and organic pollution from villages also affect water quality.
- Road construction and small damming projects further fragment the habitat.
Together, these changes threaten the survival of sensitive species like Channa andrao and the biodiversity of the stream system.
Riparian zone
- Trees near the aquatic habitat
-
Many -
Comment by the expert
Hans-Georg Evers: Title is confusing.
Friedrich Bitter: One could also mention how the habitat changes throughout the year.
