Orange-spotted snakehead
Channa aurantimaculata
Also known as Golden cobra snakehead, Assam snakehead, Aurantimaculata snakehead
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 59–77°F
- 15–25°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 15.7 in
- 40 cm
- Minimum tank
- 119 gal
- 450 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Species tank only
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Channidae
- Origin
- Native to the Brahmaputra basin in Assam, northeast India, in cool, forested hill streams.
Overview
At around 40 cm this fish needs at least 450 litres with a long footprint and a tight lid. It must have cooler, seasonal water, roughly 15 to 25 C across the year, with pH 6.0 to 7.5. It is aggressive and best kept singly or as a carefully introduced pair, without small tankmates. Feed prawns, earthworms, mussel and other meaty foods.
In the wild
The orange-spotted snakehead is a large, boldly marked dwarf-to-medium species with bright orange blotches over a dark body. It comes from cool, forested hill streams in Assam. It is a powerful ambush hunter that lurks near cover.
Good to know
Channa aurantimaculata was described in 2000 and reaches around 40 cm. It is a paternal mouthbrooder and, like other Assamese snakeheads, needs a distinct cool season to stay healthy. It is regarded as one of the more aggressive medium snakeheads.
Did you know
Keepers report these snakeheads recognise their owners and will come to the front glass to beg at feeding time.
Common questions
What size tank does an Orange-spotted snakehead need?
An Orange-spotted snakehead needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an Orange-spotted snakehead need?
An Orange-spotted snakehead is comfortable at 59–77°F (15–25°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does an Orange-spotted snakehead get?
An adult Orange-spotted snakehead reaches about 15.7 in (40 cm).
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