Chel Snakehead - Channa amphibeus

Species name: Channa amphibeus

Synonym: Ophiocephalus amphibeus

Common name: Chel Snakehead

Family: Channidae

Order: Perciformes

Class: Actinopterygii

Maximum size: 25 cm / 10 inches

Environment: freshwater

Origin: Brahmaputra River drainage, Northeastern India and Bhutan

Temperament: Predatory

Company: Channa amphibeus (Chel Snakehead) should not be kept with to small fishes.

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

Aquarium setup: Channa amphibeus (Chel Snakehead) needs a very big aquarium. Be sure to provide a spacious aquarium for the fish to swim in and do not prevent surface access. This species can tolerate low oxygen conditions in water because they are air breathers from an early age. When prevented from surface access, adult snakeheads will die due to lack of oxygen.

Channa amphibeus (Chel Snakehead) should be kept in a large aquarium tank or in apond due to their large size. The aquarium tank should be decorated with a number of open areas for swimming and some hiding places. Plants are optional. Channa amphibeus (Chel Snakehead) can survive despite low oxygen levels in the waters they live in because they breeds air from an early age. Be sure to provide surface access or our Channa amphibeus (Chel Snakehead) can die from oxygen deprivation.


Feeding: Channa amphibeus (Chel Snakehead) are a predatory species and should be feed accordingly.

Breeding: Unknown

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