Channa barca - Barça's snakehead - AquaInfo (2023)

chana in general

Channa, commonly known as snakeheads, are primitive predatory fish and members of the Channidae family. They are a group of perch-like fish whose affinities are unknown, although recent studies on the molecular phylogeny of bony fish find snakeheads most closely related to labyrinthine fish (anabantoids) and branchless eels, which include spiny eels.

The genus Channa includes 31 species native to all of Asia.
Southeast Iran and East Afghanistan East through Pakistan, India, South
Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Sumatra, Indonesia,
Vietnam, Korea and China north of Siberia. 3 species of the closely related genus Parachanna are native to parts of Africa.

The size of different types of Channa varies greatly. The term Dwarf Snakehead was coined by aquarists to describe a group of Channa species that only grow to 10 inches tall:Channa Bleheri, Channa cachua,Channa OrientalisYtent. These species are best suited for aquariums due to their large size and relatively mild temperament.

Most species are no more than 30-90 centimeters long. In addition to size, this intermediate category contains the most diversity in behavior, as some of the species are closely related to dwarf species and others are more in the monster fish category.

5 types (Channa Argus,channa the boat,Channa Marulius,Channa-MikropeltesYChanna a rayas) can grow up to 100 cm or more and are considered monster fish that are hardly suitable for aquariums.

origin

Fossils dated to 50 million years ago indicate an origin in the southern Himalayas (India and East Pakistan). 15 million years ago, animals spread across the expanding intertropical climate zone into parts of Europe, Africa and larger parts of Asia.

Physical properties

Channa have an elongated body and are characterized by their long dorsal fins and large mouths full of teeth. They were given the common name snakehead because of their flattened shape and the scales on their heads, which resemble the large epidermal scales of snakes.

Like most other fish, Channa have gills to breathe in water. However, subadults and adults can also breathe air to supplement their oxygen needs. Snakeheads are in fact obligate air breathers and must have surface air or they will suffocate. Unlike many other air-breathing fish, Channa have a series of hollows at the back of their head. These suprabranchial chambers are filled with folded tissues that have a large surface area and allow the exchange of oxygen directly between air and blood. Unlike mammals, they don't have a diaphragm and use water to turn old air into fresh air with every breath. As a result, their ability to breathe air outside of the water is limited. They seem to breathe air more often when they are actively swimming.

The genus Parachanna (native to parts of Africa) is described separately from the genus Channa due to a more primitive implementation of the air breathing section.

Snakeheads have been known to migrate short distances across land to find other pools of water, using their ability to breathe air. When moving on land, they first curve their body into an S-shape before charging into a powerful opening. In high humidity conditions, channa can survive 2 to 4 days out of water. However, when exposed to direct sunlight, they dry out and disappear in a matter of minutes to several hours. Contrary to popular belief, snakeheads have not been known to leave water for any reason other than returning to the water after a flood. The only true snake heads that actively come out of the water are some of the smaller species, Channa gachau, Channa orientalis, Channa asiatica and Channa amphibeus, and yet there must be an obvious reason for the change.

Snakeheads can live in different water conditions. Some species are linked to a subtropical climate zone. For good health, these species require cooler water temperatures for at least a seasonal period. Most snakeheads tolerate a wide range of water parameters (temperature, PH, GH, oxygen content). However, they are very vulnerable to sudden changes.

To behave

Channa are predatory fish that hunt plankton, insects and snails when they are young. As they grow larger, the larger species switch to a menu consisting mainly of fish, frogs, crabs, shrimp, small aquatic mammals and birds.

Before adulthood, most Channa species hunt in packs. When they reach sexual maturity, they begin to live a solitary life and develop great aggressiveness against their own species and other fish. Once a pair is formed, most species will not tolerate other fish.

Channa are not active swimmers, and when not feeding, they only move when they surface to breathe. They spend much of their time gliding in mid-water or resting on the bottom as ambush predators. However, some large snakeheads live more pelagic lives and are much more active swimmers. All snakeheads are capable of powerful bursts of acceleration. They bend their bodies into an S shape and move forward, stretching.

Parental care is a behavioral trait of Snakeheads. Both parents vigorously guard and protect their young. Most species store their eggs on the surface of the water. Some of the smaller species are mouths. Only a few species are cave spawners.

Among specialist aquarists, the channa is a popular aquarium fish. Snakeheads are elegant, alert, intelligent, calm and powerful fish with lots of personality. Their communication with their conspecifics, their hunting skills and their reproductive behavior are fascinating. Some aquarists even specialize by dedicating their large aquarium to the largest specimens. Sometimes they maintain a pet bond with their monster fish. Some rare and attractive species (such as C. barca) are among the most expensive aquarium fish on the market.

Some snake heads show significant changes in color pattern as they grow. This caused a lot of confusion in the early days of fish species classification, when color was still the criterion for classification.
With the exception of a few dwarf species, many juveniles have more attractive markings than adults. As they age, species often develop a more brown and drab appearance. Due to this phenomenon, some aquarists lose interest in fish as they grow. Anyone considering their first purchase should know what they're getting into.

Due to their predatory nature, none of the Snakehead is a viable choice for a social tank. Most species will quickly empty a general community tank of smaller fish. Therefore, a separate aquarium is needed to keep snakeheads.

Aquarists have very different experiences when it comes to pairing channa species with other hardy fish species. In general, most species are probably best kept individually. The level of tolerance to other fish varies by species, but also appears to vary by specimen or specific situation. Pairing channa with other aggressive and territorial fish species, such as members of the Cichlid family, is a strategy that doesn't work well. A frightened Channa will hide, try to escape the tank, and refuse to eat.

dwarf species

Due to their size and relatively mild temperament, most dwarf species can be paired with fish 2/3 their length or larger, as long as their tankmates are not overly aggressive. Note that most members of dwarf species are native to areas with seasonally variable water conditions. A seasonal drop in water temperature is necessary to maintain good health.

medium-sized species

Many medium-sized channas (30-60 cm) should be paired with hardy, relatively fast-swimming fish such as larger cyprinids. The general consensus is that the changes are best when the snakeheads are not fully grown and the other fish are already established. Newly introduced fish often die even if they don't fit in the mouth. Most of the time, however, the coexistence is temporary: when a couple is formed, all the other fish are usually hunted and killed.

Large species (60 – 130 cm)

These species need a lot of space. Most private aquariums are big enough to accommodate 1-2 adults. Young species generally get along very well with their congeners and other hardy fish. Newly introduced fish tend to tear right away. Adult fish (especially formed pairs) develop the highest level of aggression. They are usually the last fish in an aquarium setup.

channa the boat

Channa barca is a large snake-headed species that grows to 80-90 cm. It is endemic to northern India, on the Brahmaputra River (northern Assam and Nagaland).

The habitat consists of a micro-ecosystem with tropical forest and a strong monsoon. In winter, the river mostly dries up and temperatures drop. In summer, the area is flooded with rainwater and melting snow from the Himalayas. Channa Barca hides in caves with a maximum depth of 1 meter during the dry winter period. A burrow houses a single specimen or a pair and never more specimens. One chamber is at groundwater level. There are often one or more inputs and outputs.

Canna barca has a specific habitat that is also very scarce. It is said that only 10-20 specimens are kept in aquariums around the world. A pair can be worth at least 5,000 euros. Most specimens offered commercially (especially in Japan) are asChanna auranticulata, which is closely related and also quite rare.

Channa barca is best performed individually or in pairs. To form a pair, a group of juveniles must be maintained until a pair is formed. Once a pair forms, all other fish must be removed as the pair will likely kill them. To keep them in groups you need a big tank with lots of hiding spots and a little bit of luck. This species is reported to be extremely intolerant, even when young, and capable of inflicting serious injuries on each other. If a pair is formed, the games end. Most of the time, the couple will have a close relationship. However, there have been reports of sudden aggression after mating or change of environment, often ending in the death of one of the partners. It is advisable to have a hand separator screen or a spare aquarium.

Channa barca is reported to mix well with other hardy fish species.

Aquarium

A dimly lit aquarium with a densely planted area, open swimming areas and lots of retreats. Wear a tight-fitting hood, as the Channa species are great escape artists. A space is needed between the surface of the water and the bell, as they need to breathe from the surface.

Keep the temperature in summer to a maximum of 24-25 degrees C. In winter, subtropical variations require the temperature to drop to 16-18 degrees C. During this period, less food is needed and a lower level of water is needed. enough. A cold spell is necessary for good health: a high temperature often leads to general weakness and (fatal) bacterial infections. Depending on your climate zone, it may be possible to keep the Channa barca outdoors in a pond during the summer and inside an aquarium during the summer.

Diet

carnivore. All types of live fish food such as Artemia, worms, mosquito larvae, shrimps, insects, snails are accepted.worm and pieces of fish. Frozen and dry pallets are accepted.

Created by Channa Barca

Captive breeding is possible. Spawning takes place throughout the year. To activate the brood, lower the water temperature to 20 degrees Celsius.

Video

Author

patrick piper

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Last updated on Jan 8, 2022 byJohn