Encyclopaedia
Rainbow Snakehead (Dwarf Snakehead / Channa bleheri)
Channa bleheri
The Psychedelic Subtropical Escape Artist (15-20 cm / 6-8 inches). The Rainbow Snakehead is arguably the most stunning, outrageously colored, and intensely vibrant species in the entire notorious Snakehead family. Unlike its giant, tank-busting cousins, the Bleheri is a true 'Dwarf' species, completely lacking pelvic fins and maxing out at a manageable 8 inches. It possesses a specialized labyrinth organ, allowing it to gulp and breathe atmospheric air directly, making it a legendary escape artist capable of surviving for hours crawling on dry land. However, it is deeply misunderstood: it is a sub-tropical fish that strictly and biologically REQUIRES a severe 3-month 'Winter Cooldown' (low temperatures and fasting) to survive; failing to provide this seasonal shift will rapidly crash their immune system and result in horrific, fatal bacterial infections.
- Family
- Channidae
- Origin
- Bacino del Brahmaputra (Assam, India)
- Origin
- North AmericaSouth and Southeast Asia
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Share
14 °C - 28 °C
6 - 7.5
Freshwater
All levels
20 cm
Description
Geographic Origin and Biotope: Endemic to India (Assam), confined to the Brahmaputra river basin. Lives in forest ponds and swamps with extreme seasonal temperature variations between the monsoon summer and the harsh winter.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Rainbow Snakehead (Channa bleheri). Dwarf-sized "Snakehead" (about 20 cm / 8 inches). Possesses a supra-branchial labyrinth organ that allows it to breathe atmospheric air.
Social Behavior: Aggressive, intelligent and interactive. As juveniles they form cohesive schools, but as adults they become fiercely territorial, chasing away conspecifics if the tank is not huge.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Breathtaking livery: blue/green body covered with ocelli and red or orange spots (Rainbow). Lacks pelvic fins (distinctive trait of the species). Adult males stockier, with wider head.
Care and observations
Aquarium Setup: Tank of minimum 100 cm (40 inches). MANDATORY REQUIREMENT: extremely heavy and sealed lid, free of the slightest crack, otherwise it will escape by crawling out. Lots of floating vegetation and roots.
Diet and Feeding: Carnivorous predator. As a juvenile it needs bloodworms, tubifex and brine shrimp. As an adult it eats earthworms, crickets, pieces of shrimp and sometimes pellets for carnivores. Over-feeding leads to fatal obesity.
Water Quality: Vital thermal cycling: IN WINTER IT NEEDS COLD WATER (14-18°C / 57-64°F) with reduced water levels, in summer it tolerates 28°C (82°F). Skipping the cold winter period drastically reduces life expectancy.
Compatibility and Tankmates: Species-only tank recommended. It will swallow anything that fits in its mouth and will tear apart fish of its own size or larger. Community attempts inevitably end in tragedy.
Aquarium Reproduction: Possible only after a rigorous cold winter hibernation. Pelagic spawners: the eggs float (they do not build bubble nests). Both parents rabidly protect larvae and fry.
Risks and Diseases: Escape risk: it is able to breathe air and crawl on the floor covering long distances. Illegal in many countries (e.g. USA) due to the devastating invasive potential if released into the wild.
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Predatore territoriale, etichettato come "pacifico" tra gli snakehead ma pur sempre un predatore. Meglio in vasca monospecifica o con pesci robusti non considerati prede
- Diet
- Carnivoro: lombrichi (preferiti), grilli, tarme della farina, gamberetti, cozze, filetti di pesce. Accetta pellet di qualità ma non come dieta esclusiva. Mai carne di mammifero o pollame. Evitare sovralimentazione: soggetto a obesità. Ridurre l'alimentazione in inverno
- Tank level
- All levels
- Minimum group
- 1
- Adult size
- 20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 200 L
- GH
- 4 dGH - 15 dGH
- KH
- n/a
- TDS
- n/a
- Conductivity
- n/a
- Feeding frequency
- Ogni 2–3 giorni in estate, ridurre significativamente in inverno
- Bioload
- Medio-alto
- Flow
- Corrente debole a moderata
- Jump risk
- Covered tank required
- Reproduction
- Monogamo, genitori biparentali. Non costruisce nido di bolle: produce uova galleggianti. Entrambi i genitori custodiscono uova e avannotti. La femmina può produrre uova trofiche (infertili) per nutrire gli avannotti. La riproduzione è facilitata dalla corretta gestione stagionale delle temperature.
- Compatibility
- Vasca monospecifica ideale. Se in comunità, solo con pesci robusti, veloci e troppo grandi per essere predati. Non tollera conspecifici se non in vasche molto grandi con barriere visive.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.