All fish / Channidae

Bluespotted Snakehead

Channa cyanospilos

Also known as blue spotted snakehead, bluespot snakehead, cyanospilos snakehead, channa cyanospilos sumatra, haruan, チャンナ・キアノスピロス, ikan gabus, jalai, 蓝点雷龙, 蓝斑鳢

This is a medium sized snakehead with a long cylindrical body, an olive brown base colour, and a scattering of shiny blue spots along the flanks and fins. Keepers like it for its bold character, its habit of learning to recognise whoever feeds it, and its colouring, which is more striking than in many relatives.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

30 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

5 to 7

Smallest tank

250 litres

Keep as

Single specimen or a bonded pair

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Sumatra (Indonesia) and the Malay Peninsula

Breeding

Pairs choose each other, then spawn floating eggs near the surface, and both parents guard the eggs and fry with real dedication. It has been bred in home aquariums, but you need a compatible pair and a big, heavily planted tank to do it.

Good to know

This is a predatory fish that will eat any tankmate small enough to swallow, and it jumps well, so the lid must fit tightly and leave a gap of air at the surface for breathing. Owning or importing snakeheads is banned or restricted in a number of places, including the USA, Australia and parts of Europe, so check the local law first.