All fish / Channidae

Dwarf Snakehead

Channa gachua

Also known as dwarf snakehead, frog snakehead, gachua snakehead, brown snakehead, red fin snakehead, channa gachuа, ophiocephalus gachua, ปลาก้าง, haruan kecil, bujuk, チャンナ・ガチュア, ikan kehkeh

A small, stocky snakehead with a long dorsal and anal fin, a brownish mottled body and fins often edged in orange or white. It is kept for its bold personality, interesting behaviour and manageable size compared with larger snakeheads.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

17 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a bonded pair

Diet

Carnivore: earthworms, prawns, mussel, insects, frozen bloodworm and carnivore pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

South and Southeast Asia, from Pakistan and India to Indonesia and southern China

Breeding

Males are mouthbrooders that carry the eggs and protect the young after a pair has formed. Captive breeding is achievable if a compatible pair is kept in a well-planted tank with plenty of cover.

Good to know

Snakeheads can jump, so a tight-fitting lid is essential, and they will eat any fish small enough to swallow. Keeping or importing any snakehead is illegal in parts of the USA, Australia and some other countries, and the name covers a species complex with several look-alikes.