Data sheet snakehead fish
German name:
snakehead fish
Scientific name:
Chana
Origin:
Africa and Southeast Asia
Size:
Body length between 15 cm and 30 cm
Aquarium
Length:
Length from 150 cm width and from 80 cm width
Contents:
from 150 liters
water values
Temperature:
up to 24° C (warm temperatures preferred)
pH:
4 – 7.5
GH:
3° – 10° dH
Behave
Area:
lower range, hiding in roots and burrows
Lining:
Live food preferred, frozen food or food tablets only as a supplement
Behave:
passive hunting fish, aggressive towards other fish, also towards conspecifics
Number:
single or pair fish
Difficulty level:
Advanced in keeping and breeding
Origin
Snakeheads are tropical fish that come in a variety of sizes and shapes. In India and China, the fish are not only considered pure ornamental fish, but are often also bred for medicinal purposes. The fish are rarely seen in an aquarium. However, when they show up, some specimens shine with their colorful splendor.
gender differences
Differences between males and females are very difficult to find in snakeheads. At a young age, the sexes are very similar and it is difficult to tell them apart. If the fish are fully grown, it may be possible to determine that the females as a whole a little stronger and fuller than the males are. Some breeders also refer to the size of the head or fins, but such features are not really a guide to distinguishing the sexes.
breed
A breed of snakehead fish turns out to be very difficult. Because the fish have a mind of their own when it comes to choosing a partner. Even putting a male in the same tank with a female does not guarantee that the fish will mate.
In contrast, in a species tank with a maximum of six snakeheads and sufficient space, the chances are better. The animals then choose their partners themselves and mate when they are sexually mature. Snakehead fish remain monogamous. Once they find a partner, they stay with him.
Once the pairs have formed, the remaining fish should be removed from the aquarium in pairs and distributed to other tanks. Otherwise, the aggression among the snakeheads will get out of hand and they may also attack the newly hatched fish larvae of other pairs.
socialization
Socialization with other fish is possible. However, coordination is important here. For example, individual snakeheads can be used labyrinth fish, large barbel or bichirs kept in the same aquarium. Important when choosing the fish are species that are not considered prey by the snakehead or species that do not want to hunt the snakehead.
When a snakehead is in the brood care located, he shows increased aggressive behavior. In such cases it makes no sense to keep the fish in a community aquarium with other species. That is why snakehead fish should first be moved to a species tank and only come back to the community tank when their young have grown up and the brood is no longer being cared for.