Parachanna

Parachanna africana is an African snakehead found from Benin to Nigeria, in lowland coastal rivers draining into the Gulf of Guinea. Sometimes called the 'Niger snakehead', it is uncommon in the trade, and its name is sometimes misapplied to P. obscura. A series of 8-11 dark chevrons along the body identifies it, though these may not show depending on mood. It is best kept in a species-specific aquarium with a tight-fitting hood.

The African snakehead, Parachanna obscura, is widespread in West Africa from Senegal to Cameroon and ranges inland across the continent to Sudan. The most commonly seen African Parachanna, it is hard to tell apart from the rarely imported P. insignis. It will eat any fish less than two thirds its size and is best kept alone. Both parents guard the eggs among surface vegetation, and the female is said to feed the fry with infertile eggs.