Channa andrao
The snakeheads are members of the freshwater perciformes fish family Channidae, native to parts of Africa and Asia. These elongated, predatory fish are distinguished by their long dorsal fins, large mouths, and shiny teeth. They breathe air with gills, which allows them to migrate short distances over land. They have suprabranchial organs, which are primitive forms of labyrinth organs, that develop when they grow older. The two extant genera are Channa in Asia and Parachanna in Africa, consisting of more than 50 species. Channa Andrao is the smallest species of the Snakeheads . Channa Andrao is also the most peaceful member of the family. This species can be combined very well with other fish species as long as they do no fit in their mouth or are non-aggressive.
Channa Andrao is endemic to the Brahmaputra river, northwest India. This habitat displays dramatic seasonal fluctuations in temperature, water volume and flow. Water temperature drops in winter to 19 degrees C en raises in summer to a range of 22-28 degrees C. During the winter a large part of the habitat dries out. Channa Andrao pulls back in buried burrows, with a maintained water level. Most of the time one burrow is occupied by one couple only. These observations have led to the false name Channa amphibious. Hunting and breeding finds place during the warm summer season, after a heavy monsoon flood.
Channa andrao Endemic to the Brahmaputra River basin in north-eastern India, although collections for the aquarium trade appear to suggest the existence of at least one additional population . Male grow larger and are more colourful than females.
Prefers a dimly-lit aquarium with a layer of surface vegetation such as Ceratopteris spp. plus some submerged cover and leaf litter.
It is essential to use a tightly-fitting hood since Channa spp. are notorious for their ability to escape, and a gap should be left between this and the water surface as they require access to a layer of humid air.
More importantly still this fish must not be maintained at a constant temperature but provided with natural seasonal variation in the form of defined winter and summer periods. During the colder period the fish do not require much food.
Young fish can be offered chironomid larvae (bloodworm), small earthworms, chopped prawn and suchlike, while adults will accept strips of fish flesh, whole prawns, mussels, live river shrimp, larger earthworms, etc.
What We Like About This Fish:
- The Channa andraois a very colourful, and hardy addition to almost any aquarium.
- This fish will not bother most plants especially as a juvenile.
- Unique appearance as well as plenty of personality.
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:
- Temperature:14 – 28 °C
- pH:0 – 8.0
- Hardness: 36 – 357 ppm
CARE GUIDELINES:
- Diet:This species should not be fed mammalian or avian meat such as beef heart or chicken since some of the lipids contained in these cannot be properly metabolised by the fish, and may cause excess fat deposits and even organ degeneration. Similarly there is no benefit in the use of ‘feeder’ fish such as livebearers or small goldfish which carry with them the risk of parasite or disease introduction, and at any rate tend not have a high nutritional value unless properly conditioned beforehand.
- Social behaviour: In general Channa are best-maintained in species-specific aquaria, although andrao can be kept in a well-chosen community arrangement alongside peaceful, non-territorial tank mates.