Forest snakehead
Channa lucius
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 68–86°F
- 20–30°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 15.7 in
- 40 cm
- Minimum tank
- 143 gal
- 540 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Species tank only
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Egg layer
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Channidae
- Origin
- South East Asia
Overview
The forest snakehead is a large, aggressive predator for a big species tank. Keeping it well takes some experience.
Did you know
The forest snakehead's species name, lucius, is the same word used for the pike. It fits, since the forest snakehead is a long, torpedo-shaped ambush hunter.
Caring for the forest snakehead
Give the forest snakehead at least 143 gal (540 L), with a heavy, tight-fitting lid, since it grows big and jumps hard. Keep the tank dimly lit, with driftwood, leaf litter and clumps of tough plants over a soft, dark substrate. Leave open lanes and plenty of cover, where it can rest among wood and plants and lie in wait for food.
Keep the water at 68 to 86°F (20 to 30°C) and the pH from 6.0 to 7.5. Filtration can be gentle, as it comes from sluggish water. Stay on top of water changes, because it is a large, messy carnivore.
Feed meaty items such as earthworm, prawn, mussel and the occasional whole fish, every few days rather than daily. Skip live feeder fish, which bring disease.
The forest snakehead is aggressive and should be kept alone, as it will attack other snakeheads and eat anything it can swallow. Do not attempt a community. Even a bonded pair needs a big tank and close watching.
Aquarium breeding is rarely recorded. In the wild, the parents guard a clutch of floating eggs and stay with the fry.
Good to know
The forest snakehead is a member of the snakehead family Channidae. It has the elongate body, flattened head and toothy mouth typical of the group. Like all snakeheads, it breathes air using a chamber above the gills. It must reach the surface, and it will drown if it cannot.
In the wild
Channa lucius is found across Southeast Asia in slow rivers, swamps, canals and forest pools. It often lives in shady, plant-choked water.
Common questions
What size tank does a forest snakehead need?
A forest snakehead needs at least 143 gal (540 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a forest snakehead need?
A forest snakehead is comfortable at 68–86°F (20–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a forest snakehead eat?
A forest snakehead eats meaty items such as earthworm, prawn, mussel and the occasional whole fish. Feed it every few days rather than daily, and skip live feeder fish.
How big does a forest snakehead get?
An adult forest snakehead reaches about 15.7 in (40 cm).
How does a forest snakehead breed?
Forest snakehead parents guard a clutch of floating eggs in the wild and stay with the fry. Breeding in aquariums is rarely recorded.
Related species
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Channa gachua
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Channa pulchra
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Channa pleurophthalma
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39.4 in (100 cm)528 gal (2,000 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Giant snakehead
Channa micropeltes
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47.2 in (120 cm)396 gal (1,500 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Bullseye snakehead
Channa marulius
47.2 in (120 cm) · 396 gal (1,500 L)