Family: Channidae
Andrew Rao's Snakehead — a Channidae from NE India, predatory and best kept alone or in a carefully planned pair. Reaches 24.7–36.2 cm; singles for life; a true pair is the exception. 22–27 °C.
Channa andrao is a Channidae from NE India. In the wild it prefers still and slow waters among vegetation; in the aquarium it stays predatory and best kept alone or in a carefully planned pair. Plan on 24.7–36.2 cm of adult fish at 22–27 °C. Related profiles: Channa argus, Channa asiatica, Channa aurantimaculata.
Difficulty: moderate. Predatory and best kept alone or in a carefully planned pair. Singles for life; a true pair is the exception.
Aim for 22–27 °C. Heater for stable warmth; 22.0–27.0 °C typical for the genus.
Expect 24.7–36.2 cm as an adult, living middle to bottom; lurks in cover. A 500 L tank or larger gives it room.
Committed piscivore — whole fish, shrimp and meaty foods. It forages naturally over soft sand, so let some food reach the bottom.
Predatory and best kept alone or in a carefully planned pair. Recommended tankmates: A bonded pair in a very large tank — Only for the experienced. Avoid Any fish smaller than itself — Food, not company.
Its home waters are NE India — still and slow waters among vegetation, with still to gentle.
It can jump when startled — keep the tank tightly covered, especially at night and during maintenance.
In the aquarium: surface-nesting with committed biparental guarding. Males have a narrower head.