Family: Channidae
black snakehead — a Channidae from Malay Peninsula, predatory and best kept alone or in a carefully planned pair. Reaches 22.5–33 cm; singles for life; a true pair is the exception. 22–27 °C.
Channa melasoma, a member of the family Channidae, comes from Malay Peninsula, where it inhabits still and slow waters among vegetation. Predatory and best kept alone or in a carefully planned pair and committed piscivore — whole fish, shrimp and meaty foods, it grows to 22.5–33 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 22–27 °C range. Other Channa species in our database include 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.
Set the heater to 22–27 °C and avoid swings. pH 6.5–7.5, GH 5–15 dGH suit it.
Adults reach 22.5–33 cm; it is bottom-dwelling. Plan for at least 500 litres.
Committed piscivore — whole fish, shrimp and meaty foods. Vary the menu — quality flakes or pellets plus frozen or live foods.
Predatory and best kept alone or in a carefully planned pair; singles for life; a true pair is the exception. Good company: A bonded pair in a very large tank — Only for the experienced. Keep away from Any fish smaller than itself — Food, not company.
Its home waters are Malay Peninsula — 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.