The Ceylon snakehead (Channa orientalis) is a species of snakehead found in freshwater habitats, typically shaded streams, in southwestern Sri Lanka (although occasionally claimed to occur in other countries, this is misidentifications of relatives, usually C.

[3] C. orientalis has a standard length of up to 10 cm (4 in) and is one of the smallest species in the family, making it a dwarf snakehead.

[2] A few other dwarf snakeheads from the Asian mainland, like C. andrao, also lack pelvic fins, but (in addition to distribution) these can be separated by meristics and colour pattern.

[4] A genetic study published in 2017 revealed that C. orientalis includes two deeply separated lineages.

During wet weather, they can survive on land for more than four days, but if their bodies dry up, they die because it becomes difficult for them to exchange atmospheric oxygen.