Giant Snakehead - Channa Micropeltes : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide
Table of contents
Introduction
The Giant Snakehead (Channa micropeltes) is renowned for its exceptional hardiness, remarkable aggressiveness, and formidable strength. An interesting aspect of this species is its social nature, as juveniles form schools and exhibit cooperative hunting behaviour as they mature.
Referred to as "mudfish," the Giant Snakehead possesses the unique ability to venture onto land and extract oxygen from the air. However, this adaptation is limited to muddy or swampy environments. Utilizing a primitive lung positioned just behind the gills, it can survive in oxygen-depleted stagnant water by periodically surfacing to breathe air. Although it can briefly travel on land, its small fins relative to its large body prevent it from engaging in hunting while out of water.
Due to their highly predatory and aggressive nature, it is strongly advised to maintain Giant Snakeheads in species-specific aquariums. However, they can coexist with a select few of the largest Cichlids, Gars, large Catfish, and various large Plecos. Careful consideration must be given to the choice of tank mates, ensuring they are of comparable size to adult Snakeheads.
Creating an appropriate environment for Giant Snakeheads requires a spacious aquarium, preferably 2000 litres or more, as these creatures can grow significantly long. A suitable substrate includes sandy or smooth gravel, complemented by ample driftwood pieces and rock caves for shelter. Dense live vegetation and floating plants are also recommended, as these Snakeheads are ambush predators and appreciate low to medium lighting and shaded areas.
While the Giant Snakehead can endure a wide range of water conditions, robust and efficient filtration is indispensable to maintain pristine water quality due to the substantial bio-load this species generates. Implementing high-end, external biological and mechanical filtration, along with quality chemical filtration, is crucial for their well-being. Additionally, a secure and sturdy lid is necessary to prevent any potential jumping or unintended escape during live fish hunting.
The Giant Snakehead exhibits a considerably elongated, rounded body with a prominent "snake-like" depressed head. Regarding the colouration, young Giant Snakeheads consist of red hues, with orange and black lateral stripes emerging after approximately two months.
As these Snakeheads reach maturity, their initial stripes and red colouration gradually recede, giving way to a long, dark longitudinal stripe that extends along the body's length. The upper part of the body exhibits an assortment of colours and markings, with the predominant hue being a silvery blackish grey.
The dark pigmentation elegantly mingles with patterns of light blueish-green to silvery-grey stripes and spots, resulting in a highly effective camouflage for the species while lying in ambush, awaiting prey. The ventral region presents a distinct white colouration, while their formidable jaws feature large, pointed teeth akin to those of sharks. These teeth possess two sharp cutting edges, akin to knives, facilitating the efficient shearing of their prey.
Giant Snakehead Photos
Sexual Dimorphism
Currently, no definitive external method for sexing Giant Snakeheads has been established.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Channa Micropeltes |
|---|---|
| Year Described | 1831 |
| Other Names | Giant Mudfish, Red Snakehead, Redline Snakehead, Indonesian Snakehead, Toman Harimau |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Anabantiformes |
| Family | Channidae |
| Genus | Channa |
| Origins | Indonesia , Thailand |
| Max Size | 130 cm |
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Aquarium Level | Bottom - Middle |
| Difficulty | Advanced |
| Shoaling | NA |
| Best kept as | Loners |
| Diet & Feeding | Carnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg Depositor |
| Average Lifespan | Up to 15 Years |
Water Parameters
| Water Type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.0 - 8.0 |
| GH | 4 - 15 |
| TDS | 36 - 357 |
| ℉ | 68 - 86 |
|---|---|
| ℃ | 20 - 30 |
Natural Habitat
Giant Snakeheads are indigenous to the Mekong and Chao Phraya River Basins, spanning across the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia in Southeast Asia. These Snakeheads primarily inhabit lowland rivers and swamps, often favouring locations with deep water bodies. They can be encountered in expansive streams and canals, where either standing or slow-flowing conditions characterize water.
Breeding
The captive breeding of Giant Snakeheads has been successfully accomplished, albeit demanding substantial space and significant investment to produce a considerable number of juveniles that hold limited commercial value. Moreover, reaching sexual maturity in this species typically takes approximately two years from birth.
Limited literature exists concerning the reproductive behaviour of wild Giant Snakeheads. However, reports suggest that adult individuals form pairs in flooded areas or small streams adorned with submerged vegetation during the onset of the wet season. The spawning process is believed to involve either nest-building or floating eggs at the water's surface until hatching.
Parental care is relatively prolonged, with adult Giant Snakeheads displaying fierce aggression in defending their brood, even to the extent of occasionally causing injury to humans in the wild.
Diet & Feeding
Giant Snakeheads are formidable, predatory carnivores known for their voracious appetite for live fish in their natural habitat. In the wild, their diet comprises substantial quantities of live fish alongside frogs, insects, and crayfish. In the aquarium setting, providing them with a steady supply of live fish is imperative as their primary diet. However, they will also readily consume live earthworms, frogs, crickets, and crayfish.
To ensure a well-balanced and nutritious diet, a recommended approach involves maintaining a separate tank to raise minnows and other bait fish. These feeder fish can be "gut-loaded" by feeding them high-quality, vitamin-enriched flake foods before offering them to the Giant Snakeheads. A regular feeding routine of twice daily is advised to support their healthy growth and development.
