All fish / Channidae

Splendid Snakehead

Channa lucius

Also known as forest snakehead, shiny snakehead, pike snakehead, lucius snakehead, splendid snake head, ปลากะสง, ikan bujuk, bujuk, チャンナ・ルキウス, kerandang, 线鳢, 丽鳢

A slim, pike-like snakehead with a long dorsal and anal fin, olive to brown body, dark blotches along the flanks and a bronzy sheen. It lives in soft, acidic forest streams and peat swamps and is kept by enthusiasts for its striking looks and bold feeding behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

35 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

5 to 7

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Alone or as a bonded pair

Diet

Carnivore: fish, prawns, earthworms, insects and meaty frozen foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southeast Asia: Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, southern China

Breeding

Pairs guard their young, and the floating eggs are protected by both parents before the fry are herded as a shoal. Spawning has been achieved in large, quiet aquariums but is uncommon.

Good to know

Grows to around 40 cm, eats any fish it can swallow and jumps well, so a tight lid is essential. Possession of live snakeheads is banned or restricted in several places, including the USA and parts of Australia and Europe, so check local laws.