Assamese snakehead

The Assamese snakehead (Channa stewartii) is a medium-sized snakehead native to the Eastern Himalayan foothills of India and Nepal. It inhabits both running and standing freshwaters, from slow-moving streams to ponds, where it benefits from its obligate air-breathing ability to survive in poorly oxygenated conditions. In the aquarium, this species requires a spacious tank of at least 200L with a tightly fitting lid, as all snakeheads are accomplished jumpers. The tank should be densely planted with plenty of hiding spots created using driftwood, rockwork, and floating vegetation to diffuse the light. As a carnivorous predator, it feeds on smaller fish, insects, and crustaceans in nature, and will accept meaty frozen foods such as prawns, mussels, and earthworms in captivity. Channa stewartii is semi-aggressive and best kept alone or in a very large, well-researched community with robust tankmates too large to be viewed as prey. It possesses the characteristic snakehead suprabranchial chamber, allowing it to gulp atmospheric air regularly. A seasonal temperature variation between cooler winter and warmer summer periods is beneficial for long-term health.