All fish / Channidae

African Snakehead

Parachanna obscura

Also known as obscure snakehead, dark african snakehead, african snake head, parachanna, channa obscura, ophiocephalus obscurus, ปลาช่อนแอฟริกา, ikan haruan afrika, アフリカン・スネークヘッド, パラチャンナ・オブスキュラ, gabus afrika, 非洲雷龙

A long, cylindrical predator with a flattened head, long dorsal and anal fins and a brown body marked with dark blotches along the flank. It can breathe air from the surface and is kept by predator enthusiasts for its bold personality and feeding behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

35 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Singly, or as a bonded pair in a large tank

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

West and Central Africa: Nile, Chad, Niger, Volta and Congo basins and coastal rivers from Senegal to Angola

Breeding

Pairs clear a spot among vegetation and both parents guard the eggs and fry fiercely. It has been bred in large aquaria and in aquaculture, but finding a compatible pair is the main difficulty.

Good to know

Grows to 35 cm or more and will eat any fish it can swallow, so keep it alone or with large robust tankmates under a tight-fitting lid. Snakeheads are banned or restricted in several places, including the United States, so check local law before buying.