Red Snakehead

[leecasey]

Hi guys, picking up a 8" male GT to join my Oscar tomorrow. I know this might not turn out so well, but I'm going to see how it goes. I have another tank on standby if not.

The guy I'm picking the GT up from has offered me a 10" Red Snakehead, pictured below. I know nothing about these. He's asking for £25 for it. Is that a good price? Are they hard to keep? Doing some research on the web at the moment but just wanted some of your opinions.

If I understand right, Nelly is the resident Snakehead expert?

EDIT: feel free to delete this post, I've decided not to get the snakehead, I had no idea they grew as big as they do! lol oops! I have a 100g+ but don't want to crowd the tank.

 

[henshooter]

Hey mate from what ive seen they are a very agressive fish and are responsable for hundreds of injuries every year and also for the decline of the bass fisheries in america
i watched a show that stated they should not be kept as pets at all as when they go into frenzy mode (feeding mode) they will apparently rip any moving object into pieces and not for the fact they are hungry just because of their aggresive instinct
im no expert on the matter though so id suggest googling River monsters> snakeheads and have a watch or google feeding snakeheads
regards Hen

 

[england]

Snakehead expert, no
But thank you

As you have said you have decided against it then good, but i will say,yes these are beautiful fish,i would love to keep one myself, however providing a tank to the fish solely, bearing in mind they max around 3feet in length this is quite difficult for most people, if you can provide a tank big or tropical pond then i would say yes, but otherwise stay clear.
Are resident Gasmask has one or a few <cannot remember> but he has the space to provide for these beautys..

 

[leecasey]

hey Nelly - met the snakehead today, first time I've seen one. Wow what a monster! I had no idea they would be so...chunky! The guy said he was really tame and peaceful but even forgetting the aggression issues, the pure size of this thing was amazing.

 

[keimak]

Where I live, thats called a 'Toman' if I'm not wrong. I'd love to have in the future but for now, I'll just enjoy the one at my city's aquaria
It stares at you!!

 

[Joller]

if you can provide a tank big or tropical pond then i would say yes, but otherwise stay clear.

ponds are not ideal for these fish, they can breathe out of water and survive as long as they're kept moist (and within their temp range)
this is one of the reasons this fish is such a problem where it gets released

 

[england]

hey Nelly - met the snakehead today, first time I've seen one. Wow what a monster! I had no idea they would be so...chunky! The guy said he was really tame and peaceful but even forgetting the aggression issues, the pure size of this thing was amazing.

They are beautiful eh, yes i imagine it is quite tame,problem is when it gets up to 3 foot, it could turn,if it does others wont have a chance,hehe.
If i could provide a massive tank i would have one, we have two members here who have these,

if you can provide a tank big or tropical pond then i would say yes, but otherwise stay clear.

ponds are not ideal for these fish, they can breathe out of water and survive as long as they're kept moist (and within their temp range)
this is one of the reasons this fish is such a problem where it gets released

Yes i know this, what i ment was a indoor tropical pond, where its housed correctly, or a outdoor pond if in correct enviorment, you need to keep it covered which can easily be done, the reason the have became a problem is because people buy them, they grow too big, fish shops wont rehome,so people think sod it and release them into the waterways.
I know a few people who have indoor tropical ponds which these are kept in perfect condition...

Check out jellys tank
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/339219-my-characin-tank/