Edit Channa pleurophthalma
You can suggest changes to this profile. A moderator will review each change.
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
Social needs
A shoal or group
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…
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
References
4 on this profile