TankBud

Giant snakehead

Channa micropeltes

Also known as Red snakehead, Giant red snakehead, Toman, Indonesian snakehead

FreshwaterFish

Giant snakehead (Channa micropeltes)
George Chernilevsky · Public domain

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

The giant snakehead is a genuine monster fish that outgrows almost all home tanks. It is really a fish for very large custom systems or public aquariums, and only for experienced keepers.

Did you know

Giant snakeheads guarding their bright red fry will strike at anything that comes near, including people. Adults defending fry have injured swimmers.

Caring for the giant snakehead

Give the giant snakehead at least 528 gal (2,000 L), with a strong, sealed lid and heavy filtration. Check local law first, as keeping it is illegal in some places.

Keep it at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and pH 6.0 to 7.5. It is highly predatory and aggressive, and it cannot be trusted with tank mates, so keep it in a species tank.

Breeding it is hard. In the wild, the parents guard their young in large schools.

Good to know

The giant snakehead, Channa micropeltes, is one of the largest members of the snakehead family, Channidae. Wild fish can reach around 130 cm. It is red-flanked as a juvenile and turns gray with a pale belly as it grows. It is banned or restricted in many regions because of its invasive potential.

In the wild

The giant snakehead is native to large rivers, lakes and reservoirs across Southeast Asia, including the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins. It is a fast, powerful open-water predator. Adults are bulky, aggressive and capable of taking large prey.

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).

How does a giant snakehead breed?

Giant snakehead parents guard their young in large schools in the wild. Breeding it in a tank is hard.

Related species