Giant snakehead
Channa micropeltes
Also known as Red snakehead, Giant red snakehead, Toman, Indonesian snakehead
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 39.4 in
- 100 cm
- Minimum tank
- 528 gal
- 2,000 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Species tank only
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Channidae
- Origin
- Native to large rivers, lakes and reservoirs across Southeast Asia, including the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins.
Overview
This is a genuine monster fish that outgrows almost all home tanks: it reaches a metre or more and needs at least 2000 litres, so it is really a fish for very large custom systems or public aquaria. Keep it at 24 to 28 C and pH 6.0 to 7.5 with a strong, sealed lid and heavy filtration. It is highly predatory and aggressive and cannot be trusted with tankmates. Check local law first, as keeping it is illegal in some places.
In the wild
The giant snakehead is the monster of the family, red-flanked as a juvenile and turning grey with a pale belly as it grows. It is a fast, powerful open-water predator of large rivers and reservoirs. Adults are bulky, aggressive and capable of taking large prey.
Good to know
Channa micropeltes is one of the largest snakeheads, commonly reaching about 100 cm and up to around 130 cm in the wild. Parents guard their young in large schools, and adults defending fry have injured swimmers. It is banned or restricted in many regions because of its invasive potential.
Did you know
Parent giant snakeheads fiercely guard a shoal of bright red fry and will strike at anything that comes near, including people.
Common questions
What size tank does a Giant snakehead need?
A Giant snakehead needs at least 528 gal (2,000 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Giant snakehead need?
A Giant snakehead is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Giant snakehead get?
An adult Giant snakehead reaches about 39.4 in (100 cm).
Related species
47.2 in (120 cm)396 gal (1,500 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Bullseye snakehead
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Channa pleurophthalma
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Channa lucius
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