Giant Red Snakehead Albino Channa Micropeltes

Giant Red Snakehead Albino

• Care Level: Moderate
• Minimum Tank Size: 400 litres (88 gallons)
• Temperament: Aggressive
• pH Range: 6 – 8
• Temperature Range: 22–28°C (72–82°F)
• Water Flow: Moderate

Why We Love This Fish:

• The second largest of all Snakehead species
• Incredible colouration, especially in albino form
• Impressive yet manageable size for expert aquarists

Description:

Commonly referred to as the Giant Snakehead, the Red Snakehead (Channa micropeltes) is a powerful and aggressive freshwater predator, renowned for its snake-like head and fearsome teeth. As the second largest member of the Snakehead family, this species is not for the faint-hearted, but its presence in a large display tank is truly awe-inspiring.

Native to a wide range of Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Sumatra, and Borneo, these fish are naturally social and often school when young. Remarkably, they are known to cooperate during hunts. Their ability to breathe air using a supplementary respiratory organ allows them to survive out of water for extended periods.

Due to their strength and natural jumping ability, it is essential to use a secure, tight-fitting lid. Red Snakeheads are best housed in species-specific setups, though some aquarists successfully keep them with similarly sized, robust species like large catfish, gars, or big plecos. Caution must always be taken when choosing tank mates.

Feeding:

In the wild, their diet consists of live fish, amphibians, insects, and crustaceans. In the aquarium, they should be provided with a regular supply of live foods such as feeder fish, earthworms, frogs, and crickets. Over time, they may accept frozen or prepared carnivore foods, but their preference will always lean toward live prey.

Above images for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.

Please note: The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Swell shop, or available for collection from the shop. Species sold at our Swell store will differ from ones available to order to your door.

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