TankBud

Dwarf snakehead

Channa gachua

FreshwaterFish

Dwarf snakehead (Channa gachua)
Acapella · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–82°F
18–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
40 gal
150 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Channidae
Origin
South Asia, South East Asia

Overview

The dwarf snakehead is a predatory air-breather for a quiet, shady tank. It is a good step up for a keeper past the beginner stage.

Did you know

The dwarf snakehead sold as Channa gachua is really a whole cluster of similar regional forms. It is best understood as a species complex.

Caring for the dwarf snakehead

Give the dwarf snakehead a well-covered tank of at least 40 gal (150 L), with a tight lid to stop it jumping. Make it shady and structured, with driftwood, rocky caves, leaf litter and hardy plants over a soft substrate. Lots of hiding places keep it settled, and a calm surface lets it breathe air comfortably.

It copes with 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C) rather than needing constant tropical heat, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It rests among wood and plants and darts out to grab food. Feed meaty foods such as earthworm, prawn, mussel and the occasional whole fish, and avoid live feeder fish, which carry disease.

The dwarf snakehead is an aggressive predator and will eat tank mates it can fit in its mouth. A species tank or a lone specimen is safest, and it is best kept as a single fish or a bonded pair.

Unusually for snakeheads, it is a paternal mouthbrooder. The male incubates the eggs and young in his mouth until they can fend for themselves, rather than guarding a floating nest. Breeding is rated hard, as it needs a compatible pair, stable water and patience. A settled pair will raise broods in a quiet tank.

Good to know

The dwarf snakehead belongs to Channidae, the snakehead family, and is small by snakehead standards. Its many regional forms differ in color.

In the wild

Channa gachua, in the broad sense, ranges across South and Southeast Asia. It lives in streams, pools and shaded forest brooks, from warm lowlands to cooler hill country.

Common questions

What size tank does a dwarf snakehead need?

A dwarf snakehead needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a dwarf snakehead need?

A dwarf snakehead is comfortable at 64–82°F (18–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a dwarf snakehead eat?

A dwarf snakehead eats meaty foods such as earthworm, prawn, mussel and the occasional whole fish. Skip live feeder fish, which carry disease.

How big does a dwarf snakehead get?

An adult dwarf snakehead reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

How does a dwarf snakehead breed?

Dwarf snakeheads are paternal mouthbrooders. The male incubates the eggs and young in his mouth until they can fend for themselves. Breeding is hard and needs a compatible pair, stable water and patience.

Related species