CHANNA AURANTI

Channa aurantimaculata

Channa aurantimaculata is a medium sixed Snakehead that grows 40 cm maximum. Channa aurantimaculata is endemic to  the Brahmaputra rivier, northeast India (Assam region). It lives togeher with other species C. andrao and C. bleheri in a hostile micro ecosysteem consisting of tropical forest and a strong monsoon. Watertemperatures drop considerably in the dry winter and increase to tropical values in summer.

Sexing is difficult.  Females seem to have less spots on the body and a more rounded shape of the head. Femals tend to grow slower then males.

Amongst specialist aquarists there is a large demand to Channa aurantimaculata. Availablity is low, so expect a high prices. Especially a formed couple is expensive.

Channa aurantimaculata is best kept solitary or as a couple. To form a couple a group of young speciments should be kept until a couple has formed. When a couple has formed all other fish must be removed since they probably will be killed by the couple. For keeping a group a large aquarium, set up with a lot of hiding places, and some luck is required. This species is reported extremely intolerant, even at younger age and can cause serious injuries to each other. If a couple is formed the confrontations end. Most of the time the couple will have a close relationship. However, there are reports of sudden aggression after mating or a change in environment, often ending in death of one of the partners. It is wise to have an separation screen by hand or a spare aquarium.

It is reported that Channa aurantimaculata combines well with other robust fish species.

THE AQUARIUM

A dim-lighted aquarium with dense planted area, open swimming places and with a lot of place to shelter. Use a tighly fitting hood since channa species are true escape artists. A gap between the waters surface and the hood is needed since they need to breath from the surface

Keep the temperature in summer at a maximum of 24-25 degrees C. In winter season the subtropical variations do require a drop in temperature to 16-18 degrees C. In this period less food is required and a lower waterlevel will do.  A cool period is necessary for good health: maintaining a high temperature often leads to general weakness and (lethal) bacterial infections. Depending on your climate zone it may be possible to keep Channa aurantimaculata during summer outside in a pond and in summer inside in anaquarium.

FEEDING

Carnivorous. All kind of living fishfood is accepted like artemia, bloodworm, mosquito larvae,  shrimps, insects, snails earthworm and pieces of fish. Frozen and dried pallets are accepted.