Snakeheads
Snakeheads are air-breathing predators with real personality, from dwarf Channa that suit a species tank to giants that outgrow most homes. All of them jump, so a tight lid is not optional. Each profile lists adult size, tank size and temperament, since the gap between a dwarf and a monster is huge.
At a glance
- Tank size
- 29–528 gal
- 29 gal (110 L) to 528 gal (2,000 L); half the list needs 72 gal (273 L) or more
- Temperature
- 66–82°F
- 19–28°C, most of the list
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Most of the list
- Difficulty
- 8 medium
- 2 difficult
- Temperament
- 3 mostly peaceful
- 7 aggressive
10 species
By the numbers
Smallest
Largest
Index
All snakeheads

African snakehead
Parachanna obscura
Freshwater17.7 in (45 cm) · 74 gal (280 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)
Blue snakehead
Channa andrao
Freshwater5.5 in (14 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)59–77°F (15–25°C)
Bullseye snakehead
Channa marulius
Freshwater47.2 in (120 cm) · 396 gal (1,500 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Dwarf snakehead
Channa gachua
Freshwater7.9 in (20 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Forest snakehead
Channa lucius
Freshwater15.7 in (40 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)68–86°F (20–30°C)
Giant snakehead
Channa micropeltes
Freshwater39.4 in (100 cm) · 528 gal (2,000 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Ocellated snakehead
Channa pleurophthalma
Freshwater15.7 in (40 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Orange-spotted snakehead
Channa aurantimaculata
Freshwater15.7 in (40 cm) · 119 gal (450 L)59–77°F (15–25°C)
Peacock snakehead
Channa pulchra
Freshwater11.8 in (30 cm) · 74 gal (280 L)61–79°F (16–26°C)
Rainbow snakehead
Channa bleheri
Freshwater7.9 in (20 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)59–77°F (15–25°C)
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