Edit Channa andrao

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Name

Scientific name

Channa andrao

Described by

Authority Britz, Year 2013

Family

Channidae

Common names

Lal Cheng

Photograph credits

All 24 credited

Summary

Traded for years as 'Lal Cheng', Channa andrao is a snakehead endemic to the Brahmaputra River basin in northeastern India. It stays at a m…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

110mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 80 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 14–28°C, pH 6–8

Hardness

2–20dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

India, Brahmaputra, Raidāk, Sangosh

Writing

Etymology

Channa: from the Latin channe, used to refer to an unspecified species of sea perch. andrao: named in honour of Andrew Rao, Malabar Tropicals, Calcutta, for "h…

Distribution

Endemic to the Brahmaputra River basin in northeastern India, and officially known only from a swamp in the vicinity of Barobisha town, although collections fo…

Habitat

Barobisha lies in a zone of subtropical plains between the rivers Raidak and Sangosh, both tributaries of the Brahmaputra which display dramatic seasonal fluct…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions of 80 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent is recommended for a single pair, with larger quarters required for a group. Water depth is less i…

Maintenance

Prefers a dimly-lit aquarium with a layer of surface vegetation such as Ceratopteris spp. plus some submerged cover and leaf litter. It is essential to use a t…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

An obligate predator which probably feeds on insects and other invertebrates in nature, but in most cases adapts well to dead alternatives in captivity. Some s…

An obligate predator which probably feeds on insects and other invertebrates in nature, but in most cases adapts well to dead alternatives in captivity. Some specimens even accept dried foods although these should never form the staple diet.

Young fish can be offered chironomid larvae (bloodworm), small earthworms, chopped prawn and suchlike, while adults will accept strips of fish flesh, whole prawns, mussels, live river shrimp, larger earthworms, etc.

Small insects such as crickets or Drosophila fruit flies are also suitable to use, although it is best to fill the stomachs of these by feeding them fish flakes or some kind of vegetable matter before offering them to the fish.

Adults do not require food on a daily basis, even during periods of warm temperatures, and should not be offered fatty foods more than once a week.

This species should not be fed mammalian or avian meat such as beef heart or chicken since some of the lipids contained in these cannot be properly metabolised by the fish, and may cause excess fat deposits and even organ degeneration. Similarly there is no benefit in the use of 'feeder' fish such as livebearers or small goldfish which carry with them the risk of parasite or disease introduction, and at any rate tend not have a high nutritional value unless properly conditioned beforehand.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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Year

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Behaviour and compatibility

In general Channa are best-maintained in species-specific aquaria, although C. andrao can be kept in a well-chosen community arrangement alongside peaceful, no…

Sexual dimorphism

Females grow larger, tend to be heavier in build, and possess a greater proportion of red pigmentation on the body than males. Adult males possess slightly mor…

Reproduction

A paternal mouthbrooder which has been bred on a regular basis in captivity. Unless a proven pair is available to buy it is best to start with a group of 6-8 y…

Notes

This species was available in the aquarium hobby for a number of years prior to description and continues to be traded under various names including C. sp. 'La…

References

5 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References