Orange-spotted snakehead

Care at a glance

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.

Related species

• 

  Peacock snakehead

  Channa pulchra

  11.8 in (30 cm)74 gal (280 L)61–79°F (16–26°C)

• 

  Ocellated snakehead

  Channa pleurophthalma

  15.7 in (40 cm)70 gal (265 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Forest snakehead

  Channa lucius

  15.7 in (40 cm)70 gal (265 L)68–86°F (20–30°C)

• 

  Giant snakehead

  Channa micropeltes

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• Bullseye snakehead

  Channa marulius

  47.2 in (120 cm)396 gal (1,500 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

• 

  Rainbow snakehead

  Channa bleheri

  7.9 in (20 cm)42 gal (160 L)59–77°F (15–25°C)