Channa argus Care Guide
Channa argus is a large temperate snakehead from East Asia, a hardy invasive species whose keeping is restricted in many regions.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Channa argus, the northern snakehead, was described by Cantor in 1842. It is native to temperate East Asia, in China, Russia, North Korea and South Korea; its natural range extends from the Amur River watershed in Siberia and Manchuria south to Hainan. Established non-native populations exist in Central Asia and the Mid-Atlantic United States, and keeping the species is restricted or illegal in many regions.
Taxonomy
- Family: Channidae
- Genus: Channa
- Scientific name: Channa argus
- Described by: Cantor, 1842
- Common names: Northern Snakehead, Amur Snakehead
Habitat
According to Wikipedia, preferred habitats are stagnant water with mud substrate and aquatic vegetation, or slow, murky, swampy streams. The fish can survive out of water for several days using its air-breathing organ and is adapted to temperate climates.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 2000 L
- Maximum size: up to 100 cm, with specimens approaching 150 cm documented
- Temperature: 4-28 °C (39-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-20 °dGH
- Lifespan: 10-20 years
- A heavy, secured cover is essential
Diet
According to Wikipedia, Channa argus is primarily piscivorous but also eats crustaceans, other invertebrates and amphibians. It is a carnivore.
Compatibility
The species is aggressive and grows large; it is kept solitarily. Before acquiring it, confirm that keeping snakeheads is legal in your jurisdiction, as the species is regulated as invasive in many areas.
Breeding
According to Wikipedia, sexual maturity occurs at 3-4 years of age, and females can lay around 100,000 eggs annually.
Channa argus Breeding Guide
Overview
Channa argus, the northern snakehead, is a large temperate snakehead native to East Asia, with a natural range from the Amur River watershed in Siberia and Manchuria down to Hainan, across China, Russia, North Korea and South Korea. It generally reaches up to 100 cm, with specimens approaching 150 cm known. It is a facultative air breather able to survive out of water and move overland.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The species reaches sexual maturity at age three or four, when it is about 30 to 35 cm long. A female can lay 100,000 eggs a year, and fertilization occurs in shallow water in the early morning. This very high reproductive output is a major reason the species is so damaging where introduced.
Egg & Fry Care
The eggs are yellow and spherical, about 2 mm in diameter, and hatch after about 1-2 days, though this can take much longer at lower temperatures. The eggs are guarded by the parents until egg absorption, when the larvae are about 8 mm long.
Breeding Setup
- Sexual maturity at age 3-4 (about 30-35 cm)
- Eggs yellow, spherical, about 2 mm in diameter
- Hatching in about 1-2 days, longer in cold water
- Native temperate East Asia; tolerates very cold water
Common Challenges
The decisive issue is legal and ecological rather than technical: in jurisdictions where this species is banned, keeping or breeding it is unlawful, and its prolific reproduction and overland mobility make any escape a serious threat to native ecosystems.