FishProfiles.com Message Forums

This is a bit random but inspired by a conversation that came up in chat and I thought it might be interesting for all of you anabantid keepers.

It turns out that the notorious snakeheads, which have been getting a lot of publicity recently, are actually anabantids! Yes, that's right. Snakeheads are labyrinth fishes and are distant cousins of the bettas and gouramis we all love to keep.

I did a little bit of research, it turns out that asian snakeheads (Channa spp.), like bettas and gouramis, are also bubble nest builders. Their air breathing capabilities make them very hard to contain once introduced to the wild, as they are capable of "walking" from one body of water to the next, usually in search of food. The sale and import of snakeheads is illegal in most areas because of the risk they pose to the environment if released. Snakeheads can also survive drought by burrowing into the mud as the water body they live in dries up, surviving off of air for months at a time and living on stored fat.

Snakeheads can reach over a metre in length, so are usually more popular for the dinner table than the aquarium in places where they are available. Very dangerous fish, but at the same time very cool. :88)

Just for fun, let's see if we can spot a family resemblance:

Snakehead:




My little betta girl :



Yeah I would say there is a slight family resemblance there but my little girly is still WAY cuter.

CREDITS:
http://www.seremban.net/fishcorner/fc250999.htm
http://www.snakeheads.org/[/font][/font][/font][/font]

Lol, good read thanks for sharing it trys. I guess male snakeheads dont fight w/ each other as do bettas and goramies, but they might over food.????

Snakeheads can reach over a metre in length

Ah, but not C. gachua or C. bleheri (which stay under 25cm)!

Channa are legal in all of Canada except Ontario.

Have their been cases of people catching snakehead in local waters in Canada due to people releasing them from their aquarium as in some parts of the USA?

Not so much, but a couple have been caught in the Great Lakes.

how would i find out if its possible to get a snakehead where i live?

who should i contact?

Ask on one of the predatory fish boards...they are pretty up to date on current US state laws on Channa.

I've heard of snakeheads but never actually looked at a picture of one... I didn't think they'd be that pretty!

the snakehead i had in mind looked more like a polyepturus with a snake face. how many snakehead species are there?

Thanks for the info, trys

I might have to ask around on some of those predatory fish boards...they're cool

I think about 16 or so Channa species.

beastkeeper- if you want to find one, call any local asian grocery stores in your area. here in tucson, az- none of the lfs carry them, but several of the asian stores do. not sure on the legality of keeping one as a pet. i guess buying one to eat is a bit different then getting one as a pet.

I think about 16 or so Channa species.

My error....23, apparently, according to Aqualog....33, according to fishbase.

Wow, what a beautiful type of fish! Never seen one before! How big are they when they are sold, if available.