Edit Channa barca

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Name

Scientific name

Channa barca

Described by

Authority Hamilton, Year 1822

Family

Channidae

Summary

Channa barca is a large snakehead from the Brahmaputra basin in Assam and Nagaland, northeastern India, where it is scarce. Rarely availabl…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

900mm, standard length

Tank size

Not recorded

Water

Temperature and pH

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

India

Supporting text

Etymology

Channa: from the Latin channe, used to refer to an unspecified species of sea perch. barca:

Distribution

Appears restricted to the states of Assam and Nagaland in northeastern India but is scarce and never collected in numbers. In Assam it's been recorded in Kamru…

Habitat

Has been observed to inhabit vertical burrows around the margins of wetlands which typically become dry during winter months. These burrows are most often arou…

Aquarium size

Suitable only for public installations or the very largest private aquaria.

Maintenance

Relatively unfussy although some surface cover in the form of floating or overhanging vegetation or branches is appreciated. It’s essential to use a tightly-fi…

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…

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 specimens even accept dried foods though 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/shrimp, mussels, live river shrimp, larger earthworms, etc.

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 profileFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

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Anything worth adding

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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 mm6 in. In most cases adult fish can also be sexed …

Reproduction

Unrecorded but likely to be a mouthbrooder.

Notes

This species is rarely available and extremely expensive to buy but is considered highly desirable in the aquarium hobby. It can be distinguished from other Ch…

References

5 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References