All fish / Channidae

Emperor Snakehead

Channa marulioides

Also known as yellow emperor snakehead, emperor snakehead, channa maruliodes, marulioides, yellow marulioides, red marulioides, kalimantan emperor snakehead, ปลาชะโดอินโด, toman bunga, bujuk, チャンナ・マルリオイデス, kerandang

A large, heavy-bodied snakehead with a yellow to orange body covered in dark scales and blotches, and an ocellus near the tail that fades with age. Each fish carries its own pattern, and keepers value it as a striking, interactive centrepiece predator.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

50 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

1000 litres

Keep as

Keep singly, or as a bonded pair

Diet

Carnivore: fish fillet, prawns, mussels, earthworms and quality carnivore pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo

Breeding

Pairs guard their eggs and fry, with mouthbrooding reported in this group of snakeheads. Captive spawning is rare because a compatible adult pair needs a very large tank.

Good to know

It can reach about 65 cm, needs a huge tank with a heavy, tight-fitting lid, and will eat any fish it can swallow. Live snakeheads are banned or restricted in several places, including the USA, so check local laws before buying.