TankBud

African snakehead

Parachanna obscura

FreshwaterFish

African snakehead (Parachanna obscura)
Cedricguppy - Loury Cédric · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
79–86°F
26–30°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
17.7 in
45 cm
Minimum tank
74 gal
280 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg layer
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Channidae
Origin
West Africa

Overview

The African snakehead is a large, predatory air-breather that is best kept on its own. It is a fish for a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

The African snakehead's species name, obscura, means dark or dusky, a nod to its mottled brown camouflage. Snakeheads are such capable air-breathers that they can survive a long time out of water in damp conditions. Several of their relatives can even wriggle short distances over land.

Caring for the African snakehead

Give the African snakehead a long tank of at least 74 gal (280 L). It is strong and jumps, so fit a heavy, tight lid. It comes up regularly to gulp air, so leave a gap between the water and the lid. Use a soft, sandy or fine gravel base, some sturdy driftwood and a few tough plants or floating cover to break up the light.

Keep the water warm, at 79 to 86°F (26 to 30°C), and slightly acidic to neutral at pH 6.0 to 7.5. Gentle filtration suits it, since it comes from sluggish water. Stay on top of water changes, because it is a messy, heavy feeder.

Feed meaty foods such as earthworms, prawns, mussel and the occasional whole fish, a few times a week rather than daily. Do not rely on live feeder fish, which carry disease.

The African snakehead is aggressive and will kill or eat almost anything it can catch, including its own kind. House it alone, or at most try a bonded pair in a very large setup with plenty of cover.

Breeding in aquariums is rarely recorded. In the wild, pairs spawn among surface vegetation, and both parents guard the floating eggs and fry. The female is reported to feed the young on unfertilized eggs.

Good to know

The African snakehead, Parachanna obscura, belongs to Channidae, the snakehead family. It is one of only a few African members of the group. It is a substantial fish, with an elongate body, a broad flattened head and a large mouth full of teeth. Like all snakeheads, it has a chamber above the gills that lets it breathe atmospheric air and survive in stagnant water.

In the wild

The African snakehead lives in the slow rivers, swamps and floodplain pools of west and central Africa. The water there is often warm, still and low in oxygen. That habitat is exactly why the fish breathes air.

Common questions

What size tank does an African snakehead need?

An African snakehead needs at least 74 gal (280 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an African snakehead need?

An African snakehead is comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does an African snakehead eat?

An African snakehead eats meaty foods such as earthworms, prawns, mussel and the occasional whole fish. Feed it a few times a week rather than daily, and skip live feeder fish.

How big does an African snakehead get?

An adult African snakehead reaches about 17.7 in (45 cm).

How does an African snakehead breed?

African snakeheads spawn among surface vegetation in the wild, and both parents guard the floating eggs and fry. The female is reported to feed the young on unfertilized eggs. Breeding in aquariums is rarely recorded.

Related species