Snakehead

[snake]

Hi and a everyone, i'm a newbie on this forum and i've just brought a snakehead(chunna pulchra). As anyone got one of these? if so can you tell me a bit about them please. At the moment he's in a 2ft long 18inch deep, 15inch wide uno fish tank, with bog wood, sand, gravel and a couple of plants. And of course a heater and a fluval+2 filter. He's about 3inch long at the moment.

 

[Corleone]

Pulchra's a a dwarf snakehead, get about 5 inches I think. For general care, you can try posting in the predatory fish section, I know there's a couple regular posters there who have them.

 

[Pleccy]

Nobody is really too sure about the maximum size of Channa pulchra as they were only described this year. However it is generally believed that they grow to somewhere around 27cm/9" so your'e probably looking at a 36-48" tank by the time he is fully grown. The tank should have plenty of hiding places. Feeding is quite simple, most specimens will eat pellets, earthworms, bloodworm and most other small meaty foods.

 

[simonas]

I have 6 and they are growing fast. I know that at some point they will pair off and kill the others unless I get them out first. They are very aggressive when older but beautiful looking fish. People on the snakeheads forum have some about 12 inches long and believe there may be some growth left in them

beautiful fish though and there s some pics of displaying adults on the snakeheads forum which shows how worthwhile it is keeping them

If you were wanting channa to fit your tank maybe a couple of Bleheri or Orientalis would be better suited

 

[loachman]

Never release it into local waters as snakeheads, in general, are a nasty invasive species.

 

[simonas]

Never release it into local waters as snakeheads, in general, are a nasty invasive species.

bit sensationalist that!!! Channa Argus has gotten into American waters and spread but thats the nasty 3ft type I'm sure the same fears wouldn't exist with Pulchra and they certainly wouldn't survive in the UK outdoor waters sub trpoical or not!!

Have you watched Fishzilla on sky per chance?

 

[snake]

Never release it into local waters as snakeheads, in general, are a nasty invasive species.

No i would never do that anyway. I have kept reptiles for 17 years and i have never done anything like that.

 

[kewskills]

I have 4 of these, they are not a dwarf species, my 4 have reach sizes varying from 8-11" and are still growing.
You will need a fairly big tank with plenty of hiding spaces and caves at least 36" long preferably 48" in length

These fish are definitely not a community fish in anyway so really should be in a species only tank IMO.

Cheers, Karl

Hi and a everyone, i'm a newbie on this forum and i've just brought a snakehead(chunna pulchra). As anyone got one of these? if so can you tell me a bit about them please. At the moment he's in a 2ft long 18inch deep, 15inch wide uno fish tank, with bog wood, sand, gravel and a couple of plants. And of course a heater and a fluval+2 filter. He's about 3inch long at the moment.