African snakehead

Parachanna obscura

FreshwaterFish

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
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Very rare
Origin: West Africa
Family: Channidae

Overview

The African snakehead is a large, predatory air-breather that is best kept on its own, since it will kill or eat almost anything it can catch, including its own kind. Adults patrol the middle of the tank but come up regularly to gulp air, so leave a gap between the water and a tight lid. Feed meaty foods such as earthworms, prawns, mussel and the occasional whole fish, offered a few times a week rather than daily. Do not rely on live feeder fish, which carry disease. Give it a long tank of at least 280 liters with a heavy lid, as these fish are strong and jump. House it alone, or at most attempt a bonded pair in a very large setup with plenty of cover.

In the wild

It lives in the slow rivers, swamps and floodplain pools of west and central Africa, water that is often warm, still and low in oxygen. That habitat is exactly why the fish breathes air. Recreate it with 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, between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius, and slightly acidic to neutral at pH 6.0 to 7.5. Gentle filtration suits it, since it comes from sluggish water, but keep on top of water changes because it is a messy, heavy feeder.

Good to know

Parachanna obscura belongs to Channidae, the snakehead family, and is one of only a few African members of the group. It is a substantial fish, reaching about 45 centimeters, 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. Breeding in aquaria is rarely recorded, but in the wild pairs spawn among surface vegetation and both parents guard the floating eggs and fry, with the female reported to feed the young on unfertilised eggs.

Did you know

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