All fish / Channidae

Assam Snakehead

Channa stewartii

Also known as golden snakehead, stewart's snakehead, assamese snakehead, stewartii snakehead, channa stewarti, チャンナ・ステワルティ, 斯氏鳢, 阿萨姆雷龙

A small to mid-sized snakehead with a long greyish brown body, dark spots and blotches and orange edging to the fins, plus a striking eyespot on the tail fin in young fish. Keepers like it for its manageable size, curious personality and tolerance of cooler subtropical water.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

18 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Single specimen or a bonded pair

Diet

Carnivore: earthworms, prawns, mussel, fish fillet, insects and quality carnivore pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Northeast India (Assam), Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan; Brahmaputra and Ganges basins

Breeding

It is a mouthbrooder, with the male carrying the eggs and both parents guarding the fry afterwards. Breeding has been achieved in home aquariums with a compatible pair and a cooler winter period, though forming a pair can be difficult.

Good to know

Will eat any fish that fits in its mouth and is often intolerant of its own kind, so keep it alone or as a pair in a tightly covered tank as it jumps. Snakeheads are banned or heavily restricted in the USA, parts of Canada and some other countries.