African Obscure Snakehead Parachanna Obscura

• 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

Parachanna Obscura is a medium-sized carnivorous fish that has an elongated shape tapered on a both ends and is covered in medium circular scales. The head, resembling a snake, is long and depressed anteriorly and covered with cycloid scales slightly larger than those scales on the body.

This species is widely distributed from the Senegal River to the Chad system up to the Nile and Congo basins, including the Volta and Niger basins and many coastal basins in West Africa. In Lower Guinea known from most coastal basins.

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.