Channa Striata

---

Species name: Channa striata

Synonym: Ophiocephalus wrahl; Ophiocephalus chena; Ophicephalus planiceps; Ophicephalus sowarah

Common name: Chevron Snakehead

Family: Channidae

Order: Perciformes

Class: Actinopterygii

Maximum size: 90 cm / 35 inches

Environment: freshwater

Origin: Pakistan, most drainages of India, Southern Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Southern China, Malay Archipelago.

Temperament: Predatory

Company: Channa striata (Chevron Snakehead) should only be ekpt with fishes of equal or larger size.

Water parameters: Temperature 22-28˚C / 72-82˚F; pH 6-7.5

Aquarium setup: Channa striata (Chevron Snakehead) requires a very large aquarium or preferable a pond due to their large size. The aquarium should be decorated with a lot of open area to swim on and a few rocks that creates hiding places. Channa striata (Chevron Snakehead) can tolerate low oxygen conditions in water because they are air breathers from an early age. If they are prevented from access the surface, adult snakeheads will die due to lack of oxygen.

Feeding: Channa striata (Chevron Snakehead) will accept all living food that is appropriate for their size. Fry eat algae.

Breeding: Channa striata (Chevron Snakehead) are solitary when they are not breeding. Breeding can take place at any time of the ear. The eggs are laid in a nest the parents create by biting of the vegetation. They produce up to 1000 eggs which hatch within 1-3 days. Both parents guard the eggs and fry. The parents will eat their young if not feed properly.