black snakehead (Channa melasoma)

Pflegeparameter

Temperatur

22–27 °C

pH

6.5–7.5

GH-Härte

5–15 dGH

Größe ausgewachsen

22.5–33 cm

Mindestaquarium

500 L

Schwimmebene

Bottom-dwelling

Schwierigkeit

Mittel

Charakter

Predatory and best kept alone or in a carefully planned pair

Herkunft

Malay Peninsula

Artübersicht

Channa melasoma, a member of the family Channidae, is native to Malay Peninsula. Its name is honest: this fish breathes air, so a tight lid and a shaded surface are survival gear. It lives on the bottom. Adults reach 22.5–33 cm. Singles for life; a true pair is the exception. Give it cover, clean water and a lid that latches — snakeheads explore any gap above the waterline. Maintain 22–27 °C at pH 6.5–7.5. Best suited to a keeper who can match its natural water.

Natürlicher Lebensraum

Lebensraum

Still and slow waters among vegetation

Strömung

Still to gentle

Gelöster Sauerstoff

Tolerates low oxygen; air-breathing

Aquascaping & Technik

Substrat

Soft sand

Harte Dekoration

Dense cover and caves

Pflanzen

Dense planting

Charakter, Fütterung & Vergesellschaftung

Schwarmverhalten

Singles for life; a true pair is the exception

Fütterung

Committed piscivore — whole fish, shrimp and meaty foods

Empfohlene Mitbewohner

• A bonded pair in a very large tank — Only for the experienced

Nicht vergesellschaften mit

• Any fish smaller than itself — Food, not company

Zucht & Hinweise

Geschlechtsdimorphismus

Males have a narrower head

Fortpflanzungsart

Surface-nesting with committed biparental guarding