Peacock Snakehead (channa pulchra) 15 cm

Medium-sized and known as "beautiful" snakeheads due to their complex colouration. They typically have greyish blue sides with black and orange spots on the body along with white and black semi circular patters on their pectoral fins.

They require seasonal changes to keep them in top condition, ranging from 28℃ during long hot summer days with calm waters, down to winter lows of 16℃ with stronger currents.

They are air breathers, requiring access to the surface to be able to breathe.

A tight fitting lid is suggested as they can also jump and are capable of escaping through even tiny gaps in lids. We suggest leaving a good amount of space between the top of the water and the lid so your snakehead can surface for oxygen without hurting themselves

Food

Like all carnivorous fish they are not too fussy and will readily eat dried foods, but avoid overfeeding them. Carnivore pellets, frozen and live foods are recommended such as blood worm, white mosquito larve, brine shrimp, silversides, mussel meat and cockle meat.

They also benefit from live foods such as earthworms crickets cockroaches and mealworms.

A good mixture of all these is best

Breeding

Monogamous breeders, they have been successfully bred in home aquariums.

Males make nests in floating vegetation or in caves where they choose a female and perform mating rituals similar to that of betta splendens. The male spins around the female vibrating his body against the her while wrapping around her causing her to release eggs which are then fertilized and taken to the nest.

Both parents take care of the fry which hatch in a few days if the water temperature is satisfactory.

They are known to tolerate the young snakeheads up until the next breeding season

• Origin Myanmar (Burma)

• Size: 30cm (12")

• Temperature: 16-28°C

• Water Parameters : pH 6.0-7.5

• Sexual differences : males more slender body and tend to have brighter colouration

• Tank size: minimum 200l for adult pair

  
  

Behaviour and Tank Mates

Aggressive by nature , they should be kept in species only tank once a pair has been established. All other tank mates must be removed to avoid aggression or worse, death .