Blue snakehead
Channa andrao
Also known as Lal Cheng, Andrao snakehead, Blue bleheri snakehead
FreshwaterFish
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
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Channidae
- Origin
- Native to the swamps and slow streams of the Lefraguri marsh in West Bengal, northeast India.
Overview
A true dwarf at roughly 14 cm, it suits a well-planted tank of at least 110 litres with a tight lid. It prefers cooler water at 15 to 25 C with a winter cool period, and soft, slightly acidic conditions around pH 5.5 to 7.0. It can be kept as a bonded pair or a group given space and cover. Feed small meaty foods such as bloodworm, prawn pieces and insect larvae.
In the wild
The blue snakehead is one of the smallest members of the genus, a slim fish that shows blue and orange in the fins when mature. It was described only recently from marsh habitat in northeast India. It hangs in midwater among plants and surfaces to breathe air.
Good to know
Channa andrao was formally described in 2013 from the Lefraguri swamp and is closely related to the rainbow snakehead. It is a paternal mouthbrooder, with the male holding the eggs and fry in his mouth for around nine days. Adults stay around 12 to 14 cm, among the smallest of all snakeheads.
Did you know
Once the fry are free-swimming, the parents feed them on batches of unfertilised eggs, an unusual form of parental care among fishes.
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.
How big does a Blue snakehead get?
An adult Blue snakehead reaches about 5.5 in (14 cm).
Related species
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