Edit Channa pleurophthalma

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Name

Scientific name

Channa pleurophthalma

Described by

Authority Bleeker, Year 1851, Bracketed

Family

Channidae

Common names

Ocellated Snakehead

Photograph credits

All 5 credited

Summary

The ocellated snakehead, Channa pleurophthalma, is a snakehead native to southeastern Sumatra and the Kapuas and Barito basins of Indonesia…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

350mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 240 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 22–28°C, pH 6–7.5

Hardness

2–12dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Species tank only

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Indonesia, Borneo, Sumatra, Barito, Kapuas

Writing

Etymology

Channa: from the Latin channe, used to refer to an unspecified species of sea perch. pleuropthalma: from the Ancient Greek πλευρά (plevrá), meaning 'side', and…

Distribution

Native to southeastern Sumatra plus the Kapuas and Barito river basins of Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Type locality is 'Bandjarmasin, Borneo, Indonesia'.

Habitat

Streams and mangroves.

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base measuring at least 240 ∗ 60 cm is recommended.

Maintenance

Relatively unfussy although some surface cover in the form of floating or overhanging vegetation or branches is appreciated. Unlike most Channa spp. it is pela…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

An obligate predator which probably feeds on smaller fishes, amphibians and terrestrial insects in nature, but in most cases adapts well to dead alternatives i…

An obligate predator which probably feeds on smaller fishes, amphibians and terrestrial 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, 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 pageFor 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

C. pleurophthalma is among the few snakeheads known to form aggregations throughout its lifetime, but is still best-maintained in a species-specific aquarium. …

Sexual dimorphism

Sexually mature males are more slender than females, plus males tend to develop a bluish colour pattern and females greenish.

Reproduction

Unrecorded. In nature, this species forms aggregations in open rivers and only forms temporary pairs during the reproductive period, which split from the main …

Notes

This species may also be seen referred to as 'orange-spotted snakehead'. Members of the family Channidae are commonly referred to as 'snakeheads' due to posses…

References

4 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