Channa pulchra Care Guide
Channa pulchra is a small subtropical snakehead from western Myanmar, prized for orange flanks and kept singly in cool, oxygenated water.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Channa pulchra is a snakehead native to Myanmar, where it occurs in the Kyeintali Chaung stream basin of the Rakhine Yoma in the west of the country. It was first described in 2007 by Ralf Britz and is closely related to C. ornatipinnis and C. stiktos. The species has gained popularity as an aquarium fish.
Taxonomy
- Family: Channidae
- Genus: Channa
- Scientific name: Channa pulchra
- Described by: Britz, 2007
- Common name: Burmese Pumpkin Snakehead
Habitat
According to Wikipedia, the natural habitat consists of fast-flowing, clear, highly oxygenated and relatively cold (subtropical) streams. Sources report an ideal temperature of roughly 20-22 °C, with summer peaks around 25 °C tolerated as they occur seasonally; prolonged exposure to warmer water is linked to stress and bacterial infections.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Maximum size: 25-35 cm
- Temperature: 18-24 °C (64-75 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
- Keep singly; a tightly secured lid is essential as the species is a capable jumper
Diet
Channa pulchra is a carnivore. Snakeheads are predatory and in the aquarium accept meaty foods; feeding roughly once daily suits this species.
Compatibility
The species is highly territorial and is best kept on its own in a species tank. It swims in the middle of the water column and is described as a skilled jumper, so an escape-proof cover is required.
Breeding
Channa pulchra is a mouthbrooder. Breeding is considered advanced and is rarely accomplished in home aquaria.
Channa pulchra Breeding Guide
Overview
Channa pulchra is a snakehead first described in 2007 by Ralf Britz from a specimen collected in the Kyeintali Chaung (stream) basin of Rakhine State, western Myanmar. It reaches a total length of up to 30 cm and inhabits streams that are fast flowing, clear, highly oxygenated and relatively cold (subtropical). It is an obligate air-breather and is closely related to C. ornatipinnis and C. stiktos.
Breeding Setup
- Habitat reference: fast-flowing, clear, highly oxygenated, relatively cold subtropical streams
- FishBase environment: tropical, with an upper figure cited around 23 C
- Closely related to C. ornatipinnis and C. stiktos
Any attempt should reproduce the natural subtropical-stream regime: cooler, clean, well-oxygenated water rather than warm stagnant conditions. As with related mid-sized Channa, raising a group and allowing a pair to form, then removing the remaining fish, is the sensible starting point because the species is intolerant of additional specimens once paired.
Conservation Status
The IUCN Red List classifies Channa pulchra as Data Deficient (assessed 24 March 2010), reflecting how little is known about its biology, including its reproduction.
Common Challenges
The principal challenge is the lack of verifiable breeding data: keepers must work from the species' habitat and from the behaviour of closely related snakeheads rather than from a documented protocol. A tightly covered tank is essential because Channa are capable jumpers.