All fish / Channidae

Striped Snakehead

Channa striata

Also known as chevron snakehead, common snakehead, snakehead murrel, haruan, striped murrel, banded snakehead, aruan, ปลาช่อน, ストライプド・スネークヘッド, カムルチー, gabus, ikan gabus

This is a large, long-bodied predator with a flattened head, long dorsal and anal fins, and a brown back marked with dark chevron-shaped bars over a pale belly. Juveniles are orange-red with a dark lateral stripe, which is part of their appeal. It is a key food fish across Asia and is kept by enthusiasts of hardy, characterful predators that learn to recognise their keepers.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

60 cm

Temperature

23 to 30 °C

pH

6 to 8

Smallest tank

800 litres

Keep as

Keep singly or as a bonded pair

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

South and Southeast Asia: Pakistan and India east to southern China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia

Breeding

Pairs clear a spot among plants and guard a floating mass of eggs, then shepherd the fry. Breeding is common in Asian ponds and farms but rarely achieved in home aquariums because of the space needed.

Good to know

It can grow to about 1 m, needs a tightly covered tank because it breathes air and can jump, and will eat any tankmate it can swallow. Snakeheads are banned from import, sale or possession in the USA, parts of Australia and some other regions, so check local law.