TankBud

Blue snakehead

Channa andrao

Also known as Lal Cheng, Andrao snakehead, Blue bleheri snakehead

FreshwaterFish

Blue snakehead (Channa andrao)
Melanochromis · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
59–77°F
15–25°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
5.5 in
14 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Channidae
Origin
Native to the swamps and slow streams of the Lefraguri marsh in West Bengal, northeast India.

Overview

The blue snakehead is a true dwarf and among the smallest of all snakeheads. It suits a keeper ready for a step up from beginner fish.

Did you know

Blue snakehead parents feed their free-swimming fry on batches of unfertilized eggs. That is an unusual form of parental care among fishes.

Caring for the blue snakehead

Give the blue snakehead a well-planted tank of at least 29 gal (110 L), with a tight lid. It prefers cooler water, at 59 to 77°F (15 to 25°C), with a winter cool period. Keep the water soft and slightly acidic, at pH 5.5 to 7.0.

Feed small meaty foods such as bloodworm, prawn pieces and insect larvae. The blue snakehead is mostly peaceful, but choose its tank mates with care. It can be kept as a bonded pair or a group, given space and cover.

The blue snakehead is a paternal mouthbrooder. The male holds the eggs and fry in his mouth for around nine days. Breeding it is a moderate challenge.

Good to know

The blue snakehead, Channa andrao, belongs to the snakehead family Channidae. It was formally described in 2013 from the Lefraguri swamp. It is closely related to the rainbow snakehead. It is a slim fish that shows blue and orange in the fins when mature.

In the wild

The blue snakehead is native to the swamps and slow streams of the Lefraguri marsh in West Bengal, northeast India. It hangs among plants and surfaces to breathe air.

Common questions

What size tank does a blue snakehead need?

A blue snakehead needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a blue snakehead need?

A blue snakehead is comfortable at 59–77°F (15–25°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a blue snakehead eat?

A blue snakehead eats small meaty foods such as bloodworm, prawn pieces and insect larvae.

How big does a blue snakehead get?

An adult blue snakehead reaches about 5.5 in (14 cm).

How does a blue snakehead breed?

Blue snakeheads are paternal mouthbrooders. The male holds the eggs and fry in his mouth for around nine days, and breeding them is a moderate challenge.

Related species