Edit Channa aurantimaculata

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Name

Scientific name

Channa aurantimaculata

Described by

Authority Musikasinthorn, Year 2000

Family

Channidae

Common names

Orange-spotted Snakehead

Photograph credits

All 11 credited

Summary

The orange-spotted snakehead, Channa aurantimaculata, is a snakehead endemic to the Brahmaputra basin in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, India…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

400mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 150 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 10–28°C, pH 6–8

Hardness

2–20dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Species tank only

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

India, Brahmaputra

Writing

Etymology

Channa: from the Latin channe, used to refer to an unspecified species of sea perch. aurantimaculata: from the Latin aurantium, meaning 'orange', and maculatus…

Distribution

Endemic to the Brahmaputra River basin in the states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. It's apparently restricted to the northern portion of …

Habitat

The area in which it lives has a 'tropical monsoon rainforest' climate characterised by heavy rainfall, high humidity and hot summer temperatures. In his descr…

The area in which it lives has a 'tropical monsoon rainforest' climate characterised by heavy rainfall, high humidity and hot summer temperatures.

In his description Musikasinthorn (2000) suggested it to inhabit 'forest streams, swamps, and ponds connected with the Brahmaputra River', based on information from local collectors, before suggesting it may be restricted to the discontinuous patches of rainforest which remain in northern Assam.

Goswami et al. (2006) report that it constructs burrows close to tree stumps in forested areas which are temporarily inundated during the annual monsoons.

These burrows may be up to 200 cm79 in in depth and the fish use them as refuges during the dry winter months, emerging to hunt and breed while the habitat is flooded.

Since it is less of an ecological generalist than many Channa species, requires a specific type of microhabitat, has a restricted range and is never found in large numbers it is recommended as a concern for conservation by Goswami et al., 2006., who also noted that it is 'rampantly fished' for food and the ornamental trade.

Like others in the genus it can tolerate hypoxic conditions due to its ability to breath atmospheric air (see 'Notes').

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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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DOI

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Year

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Anything worth adding

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Aquarium size

An aquarium with base measuring at least 150 ∗ 60 cm is recommended. Water depth is less important but should not be less than 30 cm.

Maintenance

Prefers a dimly-lit aquarium with a layer of surface vegetation such as Ceratopteris spp. plus some submerged cover. It's essential to use a tightly-fitting ho…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

An obligate predator which probably feeds on smaller fishes and insects in nature but in most cases adapts well to dead alternatives in captivity. Some specime…

Behaviour and compatibility

Best-maintained in a species-specific aquarium. It is aggressively territorial towards conspecifics and violence can occur suddenly and without warning even in…

Sexual dimorphism

Males begin to develop a more-extended, intensely-patterned dorsal-fin once they reach a size of around 150 mm. In most cases adult fish can also be sexed by v…

Reproduction

A paternal mouthbrooder which has been bred infrequently in aquaria.

Notes

This species is also traded as 'golden cobra snakehead' and is available in the aquarium trade on a regular basis. It can be distinguished from other Channa sp…

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