All fish / Channidae

Orange-spotted snakehead

Channa aurantimaculata

Also known as orange spotted snakehead, aurantimaculata, assam snakehead, golden cobra snakehead, orange snakehead, ปลาช่อนออแรนติ, ikan haruan oren, オーランチマキュラータ, channa auranti, 橘斑鳢, 火焰鳢

A sturdy, elongate snakehead with a dark brown to bluish body marked by rows of bright orange spots and stripes on the flanks. It is prized for its striking colour, intelligence and the way it interacts with its owner.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

35 cm

Temperature

14 to 25 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a bonded pair

Diet

Carnivore: earthworms, prawns, mussel, fish fillet, insects and quality carnivore pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

India: upper Brahmaputra basin in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh

Breeding

Pairs form on their own and both parents guard a floating mass of eggs and later the fry, with the male often mouthbrooding. It has been bred in home aquariums, but needs a large tank and a cool winter period to trigger spawning.

Good to know

Prefers cooler water than most tropicals and should be given a winter drop in temperature; it is a powerful jumper so a tight lid is essential. Snakeheads are banned or restricted in the USA, parts of Europe and other regions, so check local laws before buying.