[4] In the wild, this species primarily inhabits waters within the Indian state of Assam, and it is known in Assamese as sengeli or chengeli.

[6] Endemic to the Brahmaputra River basin, this fish has a type location at Dibrugarh, a city in the northeastern part of Assam.

[4] Its closest relative appears to be Channa burmanica, which is endemic to northern Burma.

Juveniles that have reached one centimetre (0.4 in) have yellow bodies, and adults have large orange or red spots.

[4] This fish grows to 17 cm (6.7 in) in standard length and is a part of the group known informally as dwarf snakeheads.