All fish / Channidae

Ocellated Snakehead

Channa pleurophthalma

Also known as eyespot snakehead, spotted snakehead, borneo snakehead, pleuro snakehead, ocellated snake head, channa pleuropthalma, ikan bujuk, プレウロフタルマ, ikan kerandang, ikan serandang, 眼斑鳢, 印尼七彩雷龙

This large snakehead has a greenish to bronze body marked with two or three large dark eyespots ringed in orange along each flank. It is kept for its striking spots, calm nature for a snakehead and its interactive, intelligent behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

40 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

5 to 7

Smallest tank

500 litres

Keep as

Alone or as a bonded pair

Diet

Carnivore: fish, prawns, earthworms, mussel and good-quality carnivore pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Indonesia: Borneo (Kalimantan) and Sumatra

Breeding

Pairs spawn floating eggs near the surface and both parents guard the eggs and fry. Captive breeding has been achieved by hobbyists but needs a very large tank and a compatible pair.

Good to know

Adults reach around 40 cm and will eat any fish they can swallow, and they jump, so a tight lid is essential. Possession of live snakeheads is banned or restricted in several places, including the USA, Australia and parts of Europe.