All fish / Channidae

Ceylon snakehead

Channa orientalis

Also known as ceylon snakehead, sri lankan snakehead, walking snakehead, dwarf snakehead, channa orientalis sri lanka, green snakehead, smooth-breasted snakehead, ปลาช่อนศรีลังกา, haruan kerdil, チャンナ・オリエンタリス, スリランカスネークヘッド, channa orientalis

A small snakehead with an olive to brownish green body, dark blotches and blue edged unpaired fins, and it lacks pelvic fins. Its modest size, personality and air breathing habits make it one of the more manageable snakeheads for home aquaria.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Single fish or a bonded pair

Diet

Carnivore: earthworms, bloodworm, shrimp, insects and meaty frozen foods; may learn to take pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Sri Lanka (endemic, south-western wet zone)

Breeding

A paternal mouthbrooder: the male holds eggs and fry in his mouth for around two weeks after spawning. Pairs form readily and captive breeding is fairly achievable in a quiet, planted tank.

Good to know

Many fish sold under this name are actually Channa gachua or related dwarf species, so check identity. It is an excellent jumper and needs a tight lid with air space, and keeping snakeheads is banned or restricted in some places such as the USA, Australia and parts of Europe.