Species profile

Dwarf Snakehead

Channa gachua

Common names: Dwarf Snakehead, Red Seam Snakehead

Recognized speciesSnakeheads

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Adult size

Up to 20 cm

Countries of origin

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Good fit for

A keeper who has researched this fish and can match its needs

Think carefully if

You keep smaller fish, which it may eat
You cannot provide about 243 litres for a fully grown fish
You keep shrimp you want to protect

A smaller snakehead with a very wide range across Asia, and it reaches about 20 cm. Keep alone or in a small group in 243 litres or more.

Appearance and Identification

A smaller snakehead with a very wide range across Asia, and it reaches about 20 cm. It is bred regularly by mouthbrooding males. Snakeheads are illegal to keep in some countries, including the United States, so check your local law.

Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.

Sexes are usually hard to tell apart.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter: About 970–1,220 litres an hour
Suggested heater: About 250–375 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume: 243 litres
Minimum tank length: 120 cm
Minimum group size: 2
Recommended group size: 2
Activity level: Moderate
Flow preference: Moderate
Planting preference: Moderately planted
Hiding places: Yes
Lid recommended: Yes
Jumping risk: Moderate

Allow plenty of room, use a very secure lid and fit strong filtration. Predators produce a lot of waste, and many are strong jumpers.

Behaviour and Tankmates

A predator that spends much of its time watching and waiting for prey.

Usually best alone, or in a very large tank with others of its size.

Many are intolerant of their own kind.

It will eat any fish that fits in its mouth, so keep it with fish too big to swallow, or alone. It is likely to eat shrimp. Choose its tankmates with care.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature: 18–28 °C
pH: 5–8
GH: 1–20
Stability importance: Important

Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable.

Parameter caveat

Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.

Feeding

Diet types: Carnivore, Predator
Feeding frequency: Daily
Preferred foods: Quality carnivore pelletsWorth training it onto these, as they are balanced and clean.
Frozen prawn, mussel and fishUse a variety. Avoid a diet of feeder fish, which can bring in disease.
EarthwormsA good food, and most predators take them readily.

A small snakehead that eats insects, worms and small fish. Offer frozen foods and earthworms; some take pellets.

Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.

Breeding

Breeding type: Mouthbrooder
Breeding difficulty: Moderate
Parental care: Mouthbrooding
Baby foods: Newly hatched brine shrimpThe fry can usually take this from the start.
Crushed flakeA simple addition as they grow.

A mouthbrooder. The female usually holds the eggs and young fry in her mouth for a few weeks, and releases free-swimming young. Give her cover, and avoid stressing her during this time.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin: Afghanistan, Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam
Natural habitat: River
Aquarium contexts: Planted Aquarium
Audience level: Beginner

Classification

Profile type: Recognized species
Genus: Channa
Family: Channidae
Species group: Fish, Snakeheads

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Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

Think carefully if

Appearance and Identification

Tank Requirements

Behaviour and Tankmates

Water Parameters

Feeding

Breeding

Habitat and Origin

Classification

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Other Snakeheads

Forest Snakehead

Giant Snakehead

Ocellated Snakehead

Orange Spotted Snakehead

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