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
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Channidae
- Origin
- Native to the Brahmaputra basin in Assam, northeast India, in cool, forested hill streams.
Overview
The orange-spotted snakehead is an aggressive, cool-water snakehead that needs a species tank. It suits a keeper with some experience.
Did you know
Orange-spotted snakeheads recognize their owners, keepers report, and they come to the front glass to beg at feeding time.
Caring for the orange-spotted snakehead
Give the orange-spotted snakehead at least 119 gal (450 L) with a long footprint, and fit a tight lid. It must have cooler, seasonal water, from 59 to 77°F (15 to 25°C) across the year. Keep the pH at 6.0 to 7.5. Like other Assamese snakeheads, it needs a distinct cool season to stay healthy.
Feed prawns, earthworms, mussel and other meaty foods. It is one of the more aggressive medium snakeheads. Keep it singly or as a carefully introduced pair, in a species tank.
The orange-spotted snakehead is a paternal mouthbrooder, so the male carries the brood in his mouth. Breeding it is of medium difficulty.
Good to know
Channa aurantimaculata is a member of the snakehead family Channidae, described in 2000. It is a boldly marked dwarf-to-medium snakehead, with bright orange blotches over a dark body.
In the wild
The orange-spotted snakehead comes from cool, forested hill streams in the Brahmaputra basin of Assam, northeast India. It is a powerful ambush hunter that lurks near cover.
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.
What does an orange-spotted snakehead eat?
An orange-spotted snakehead eats prawns, earthworms, mussel and other meaty foods.
How big does an orange-spotted snakehead get?
An adult orange-spotted snakehead reaches about 15.7 in (40 cm).
How does an orange-spotted snakehead breed?
Orange-spotted snakeheads are paternal mouthbrooders, with the male holding the brood in his mouth. They are of medium difficulty to breed.
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