Dwarf Bangka Snakehead Channa Bankanensis

• Care Level: Moderate
• Tank Size: 88 Gal (400 Ltr) min
• Temperament: Aggressive
• PH: 6 – 8
• Temperature: 22-28°C (72-82°F)
• Flow: Moderate

What We Like About This Fish:

• Beautiful Markings
• A Real Standout Fish
• Stunning Colouration
• Manageable size

Many species of snakehead look very attractive as juveniles. Channa bankanensis is no exception from that rule. The reason for the sometimes extraordinary change in coloration is the behaviour. Juvenile Channa are usually schooling fish. Depending on the species they swim in close schools up to a length of 3 cm or even 15 cm. The contrasting juvenile coloration has two basic reasons: first, it helps conspecifics to identify other fish as members of the same species, and second it confuseses predators for the silhouette of the single specimen is only hard to detect in a school.

Snakeheads have an accessory respiratory organ, which allows them to breathe outside of the water for a long time.

Snakeheads will need a strong, tight-fitting lid on their aquarium as they will sometimes jump or get carried away while hunting live fish. 

Species specific aquariums are recommended as they are highly predatory and aggressive; although they can coexist with a few of the largest cichlids (Gars are usually a safe bet), large catfish, and various large Plecos. Tank mates should be chosen carefully and should comparable in size as adults.

Snakeheads are ferocious, predatory carnivores and mainly eat massive amounts of live fish, but also eat frogs, insects and crayfish in the wild. In the aquarium they should be fed a constant supply of live fish, but they will also accept live earth worms, frogs, crickets, and dry foods.