Channa bleheri – Rainbow Snakehead

Channa in general

Channa, commonly known as Snakeheads, are primitive predatory fish and members of the family Channidae. They are a group of perciform (perch-like) fishes whose affinities are unknown, although recent studies on the molecular phylogeny of bony fishes consider snakeheads as most closely related to the labyrinth fishes (anabantoids) and the synbranchiform eels, which include the spiny eels.

The Channa family includes 31 species widely distributed in Asia from southeastern Iran and eastern Afghanistan eastward through Pakistan, India, southern Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Sumatra, Indonesia, Vietnam, Korea, and China to and with part of Siberia. In addition, 3 species of the related Parachanna family are found locally in parts of Africa.

The Channa varieties have large differences in size. Aquarists coined the unofficial term dwarf snakeheads to refer to a group of Channa species that do not grow larger than 25 centimeters: Channa bleheri, Channa cachua, Channa orientalis, Channa andrao. These species are also most suitable for keeping in an aquarium due to their limited size and relatively peaceful nature. Most other species grow to a maximum of 30-90 cm. Five species (Channa argus, Channa barca, Channa marulius, Channa micropeltes and Channa striata) can even reach 100 centimeters or larger and can be considered monster fish that are hardly suitable for keeping in an aquarium.

Origin

Fossiles dated from 50 million years ago indicate an origin in the southern Himalayas (India and East Pakistan). From 15 million years ago, they have spread by the expanding intertropical climate zone to parts of Europe, Africa, and larger parts of Asia.

Physical features

Channa have an elongated body and are distinguished by their long dorsal fins large mouths full of teeth. They earn their common name Snakehead because of their flattened shape and the scales on their heads that are reminiscent of the large epidermal scales on snakes.

Channa have gills to breathe water like most other fish. However, subadults and adults can also breathe air to supplement their demand for oxygen. Snakeheads are in fact obligatory air breathers and must have air from the surface otherwise they will drown. Unlike many other airbreathing fishes, Channa have a series of cavities in the rear section of their head. These suprabranchial chambers are filled with folded tissues that have a high surface area, and allow oxygen change to occur directly between air and their blood. Unlike mammals, they lack a diaphragm and use water to exchange old air with fresh air each time they take a breath. Thus, their ability to breathe air when out of the water is limited. They appear to breathe air more frequently when swimming actively.

The genera Parachanna (native to parts of Africa) is described apart from the genera Channa because of a more primitive implementation of the airbreathing section.

Snakeheads are known to migrate over short distances overland to find other water basins, using the ability to breathe air. When moving over land they curve their body in an S shape first, before launching themselves forward by a powerful stretch. In high humidity conditions, Channa are able to survive from 2 up to 4 days out of the water. When placed in direct sunlight, however, they desiccate and perish in minutes to several hours. In contrary to what is believed, Snakeheads are not known to leave the water for any reason other than making their way back to the water after flooding. The only snakeheads that actively leave the water belong to the dwarf species (C. gachau and C. orientalis, C. asiatica, and C. amphibius). Even then there is a clear reason for leaving the water, such as escaping overpopulation.

Snakeheads can be found in a wide variety of waters and water conditions. They are found in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. Snakeheads are not dependent on the oxygen level in the water. Many (not all) species can also tolerate widely varying temperatures and water parameters for a period of time. However, they are very vulnerable to sudden changes in water parameters.

Commercial interest

Snakeheads are important consumption fish, especially in India, Southeast Asia, China and to a lesser extent Africa. It has been fished on a large scale for centuries. In recent decades, certain species (C. maculata, P. obscura, C. striata, C. argus) have been cultivated for consumption. Sometimes they are used by fish farmers to reduce “pest fish” such as Tilapia.

In Southeast Asia, markets are often overrun with snakeheads. Fishermen and sellers take advantage of the fish’s ability to survive in just a thin film of water. This means that fresh fish can be offered throughout the day, a nice bonus in the not-always-hygienic conditions of a warm market.

Scientific research shows that snakeheads contain natural anti-inflammatories. In addition, it is known that they have a high content of omega-6 fatty acids, which have an analgesic effect. The fish oil also has positive effects on the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancers.

“Fish out of hell”

Partly as a result of colonization, snakeheads have been deliberately introduced to other areas (Madagascar, Hawaii, Taiwan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the Czech Republic) over the past hundred years. Today, snakeheads are considered a major threat to local ecosystems. Especially in the absence of natural enemies (such as humans), they are very invasive and destructive. Large species become sexually mature after 2-3 years, mate up to 2-5 times a year, and produce up to 15,000 eggs at a time. In addition, they are considered capable of migrating overland to other water systems. C. argus in particular is thought to be able to double its population within 15 months.

The discovery of a number of species of snakeheads in US waters has caused quite a stir. The media has been used to take unpopular measures to prevent the further spread of the species (such as draining or completely poisoning). Various media created a Piranha-esque image of a monster fish that eats an entire lake, then moves overland to the next lake, preying on dogs and children along the way. National Geographic came out with a slightly more fact-based documentary Invasion of the Snakeheads that talked about Fishzilla. Filmmakers in Hollywood found inspiration and support for 2 horror films in the hype.

Asian food markets (and the related need to store live fish in natural fish ponds) were blamed for the invasion. With the availability as food fish, the fish also became available to aquarium and pond keepers. Fish that grew too big for the tank often ended up in the local ecosystem. Since 2002, many US states have banned the possession of live snakeheads. In Europe, too, an import permit is required for C. argus, because this species is able to thrive in our colder waters.

Behavior

Snakeheads are predatory fish that feed on plankton, insects, and snails as youngsters. As they grow larger, the larger species switch to a menu consisting mainly of fish, frogs, crabs, shrimps, small aquatic mammals and waterfowl. Young specimens usually hunt in groups. When they reach sexual maturity, they isolate themselves to lead a solitary life or live in pairs. They then develop a higher degree of aggression towards conspecifics and often also towards other fish. Often a couple will not tolerate other fish in the limited space of an aquarium.

Snakeheads are not active swimmers. In addition to hunting, they actively move only to draw air from the surface. Usually, they swim in the middle water layer or rest on the bottom to strike from an ambush. A number of species, however, are pelagic and are more active swimmers. All snakeheads are capable of launching themselves forward from a standstill by briefly curving their muscular body and stretching it forcefully.

Brood care is an important behavioral trait for Snakeheads. All species violently guard and defend their eggs and young. The majority of species lay eggs that rise to the surface and are guarded there. A number of smaller species collect these eggs and store them in a burrow that may or may not have been dug. A number of species are mouthbrooders.

The snakehead is a popular – eccentric – fish among a specialist group of aquarium keepers. Snakeheads are elegant, powerful, alert, and calm fish, with a willful character. The mutual communication, hunting technique, and brood care are fascinating. Some aquarium keepers specialize in keeping the largest species and have a pet-like experience. Some rare and variegated species (such as C. barca) are among the most valuable aquarium fish on the market.

Snakeheads often have changing patterns and colors as they grow. With the exception of the dwarf species, the young of most species are much more beautifully marked and colored than the aging fish. With age, they usually get a duller ground color. Some aquarium keepers lose interest in them as they grow. It is therefore wise to do some research before purchasing.

As predators, snakeheads are by nature not a suitable choice for the average community aquarium. They are intolerant and usually soon the only fish. A special aquarium is required for keeping snakeheads. Aquarium keepers have different experiences when it comes to mixing snakeheads with other tankmates. Most species are best kept alone. Combining snakeheads with territorial or aggressive tankmates is not recommended. An intimidated snakehead hides, tries to escape, and refuses to eat. The extent to which other fish are tolerated in the small habitat of an aquarium depends very much on the species, but within that probably also on the individual specimen and the specific situation. There are a number of general experiences per group:

Dwarf species

Due to their small size and relatively mild temperament, most dwarf species pair well with robust, fast fish of a similar size. Provided these fish are not too territorial or aggressive. It should be taken into account that most dwarf snakeheads live in their natural environment in an eco climate zone with seasonal extremes in water temperature and water values. As a result, they cannot be kept at a tropical temperature all year round. A temperature reduction for at least one season per year is necessary to keep them healthy. Co-residents must also be able to cope with this.

Medium sized species

This group contains the most diversity in terms of behavior. Many of the larger species (between 30-60 cm) can be combined with relatively fast and robust fish of a similar size, for example, large cyprinids. General experience is that combining with other fish species works best when the snakehead fish are not yet too big and when the other fish have already settled. Newly introduced fish are often killed immediately. It varies greatly by species and experience. Often the tolerance to other fish is temporary. When a pair of snakeheads is formed, the co-inhabitants (also conspecifics) are usually chased and killed.

Large species (60 – 130 cm)

These snakeheads themselves require an amount of space that most private aquariums are unlikely to be able to provide. Extremely large private aquariums are usually just big enough to hold one fish or a pair. In general, the same applies as with the medium varieties. Fish that grow with them from an early age are often tolerated. Newly introduced fellow residents are often killed immediately.

A number of large species, such as C. argus and C. micropeltes, are important food fish. They are considered highly invasive and destructive to the local ecosystem outside their natural habitat (see also the documentary Invasion of the Snakeheads). After the fish were sighted in several places in the US, import bans and a ban on owning a live specimen are in effect in most states within the US.

Channa bleheri – Rainbow Snakehead

Channa bleheri, with a maximum length of 25 cm, is one of the smaller and most colorful Snakeheads. Unlike many Channa species, Channa bleheri is also peaceful towards conspecifics and other (large) fish species. They can therefore be kept in a group.

Juveniles are yellow with a dark stripe across the head, running from the jawline to the eyes. This drawing slowly transitions into the variegated color scheme that characterizes the adults and has many regional variations. Older specimens have a brown body, with mostly blue sides, which – like all the fins – are covered with orange and red spots. Channa bleheri can be distinguished from other dwarf snakeheads by the missing front pelvic fin.

Males of Channa bleheri are more brightly colored and larger. Males also grow faster than females.

Channa bleheri is endemic to the Brahmaputra River, in northeastern India (Assam region). There, Channa bleheri lives together with other species (C. andrao and C. aurantimaculata) in an inhospitable micro-ecosystem with a tropical rainforest and a strong monsoon. The water temperature drops sharply in the dry winter and rises to tropical values in the summer. Because Channa bleheri is bound to a small and specific habitat, and the density of the fish is small, it is considered a vulnerable species.

Channa bleheri can be kept in pairs or in a group. In the latter case, a larger size aquarium is needed with many hiding places. Although this species is peaceful, territorial confrontations do occur. These are never severe in nature.

Where almost all snakeheads are mouthbrooders or egg scatterers, Channa bleheri digs a hole in which to lay its eggs. The female initiates mating, while the male selects the nest site. Both take care of the brood.

Channa bleheri can tolerate a wide range of water temperatures and water values. However, with long-term higher water temperatures, (deadly) bacterial infections occur in the long term. Therefore, keep them preferably at a temperature between 22 and 24 degrees (or lower) in the summer and let the temperature drop to around 16-18 degrees in the winter. It is also possible to reverse the summer and winter process and keep them from May to September in an outdoor pond (excluding extreme outdoor temperatures) and for the rest of the time in an aquarium.

Despite their great adaptability, snakeheads are particularly sensitive to sudden changes in water values, especially the pH value. So be careful when introducing new fish to the aquarium and with large water changes.

The aquarium

An aquarium with densely planted areas, open swimming areas and sufficient hiding places. Some darker spots are appreciated. Make sure that it is possible for them to get air from the surface, otherwise, they will suffocate. Close the aquarium tightly. They know how to escape from the aquarium through the smallest hole. Make sure that the aquarium temperature is lowered to 16 to a maximum of 18 degrees Celsius for at least one season. In the colder period, less food is required and the water level can drop slightly.

Diet

Carnivore. All common small meaty foods are eaten, such as mosquito larvae, krill, large brine shrimp, freshwater shrimp, insects, posthorn snails, and especially earthworms. Pieces of fish are hardly eaten. They also accept frozen food and sometimes get used to dry food. Channa bleheri is sensitive to overfeeding, which causes them to get fat. Often 3 to 4 times per week feeding is sufficient. They should not form a visible abdomen, except just after a meal. Feed sparingly, especially in the cold winter period.

Breeding Channa bleheri

To initiate breeding, the water temperature should be lowered. Putting a male and a female together does not necessarily result in a pair. It is best to form a group, from which a pair can arise. Remove the other fish from the tank, as they will later become a threat to the nest. Provide a cave in which to make the nest. The eggs first float to the surface after laying, where they form a kind of carpet. Then they are taken to the den by the parents, where they float to the ceiling.

The parents take care of the eggs and young fish. The eggs hatch after about 30 hours. They can be fed directly with brine shrimp. After that, you can quickly switch to frozen or dry food. The young fish are fed by the parents with unfertilized eggs. Young that are caught and reared separately from their parents, therefore, grow more slowly.

Be careful with other fish in the tank. Tankmates are often not considered a threat by Channa bleheri and may easily have the opportunity to eat the fry.

Video

Author

Patrick de Pijper

Copyright images

Photo Channa-bleheri2: “Channa bleheri” by Mirko Hartig – Fotografiert von Mirko Hartig. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Hung-Jou Chen
Aquariumglaser.de
Hristo Hristov