Banana fish (Channa maculata) - Characteristics, habits, how to raise

The banana fish (Channa maculata), a freshwater fish of the family Channidae, is aggressive, adaptable, easy to raise, and has high value in the culinary and ornamental fish industries.

The banana fish, a freshwater fish belonging to the snakehead family, is not only beautiful in appearance but also has high economic value in commercial farming and the culinary industry. In addition, with its appearance having many patterns like flowers and clouds, this fish is also raised as an ornamental fish.

In the article below, let's go deeper with ornamental snakehead fish to learn detailed information about the flower snakehead fish from its origin, habits, how to raise it to the value it brings!

Information about banana fish :

Origin and distribution of banana fish

Image of two snakehead fish swimming next to each other.

The banana fish has the scientific name Channa maculata, belongs to the snakehead family (snakehead fish), they are a native fish species in East Asia, mainly distributed in the following areas:

• China : South, southeastern China such as Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi and Hainan.
• Taiwan : Distributed in river and stream areas in plains or low mountains.
• Vietnam : Mainly distributed in the northern provinces, bordering China.

Nowadays, thanks to its value in the culinary and aquatic industries, banana fish has been widely bred throughout Vietnam, especially in provinces such as Hai Duong, Bac Giang and Lang Son.

Banana fish appearance

Detailed appearance of a banana snakehead fish.

Right below is the detailed appearance of the banana flower snakehead fish. Learn more to be able to distinguish it from other snakehead fish species in the Channidae family!

• Shape : Elongated, cylindrical, flattened towards the tail, typical of the snakehead family.
• Size : Adult fish are 25 - 40 cm long. In the wild they can reach 50 cm.
• Weight : About 0.5 - 1.5 kg/piece
• Head : Large, wide, slightly flat head that looks like a "snake's head".
• Color : The fish has a background color from dark gray to moss brown on the back, the belly is lighter in color, can be grayish white or yellow.
• Pattern : The fish has many round or cloud-shaped spots of brown-yellow or orange-yellow color distributed evenly along the body.
• Eyes : Large, round. Set high on the head.
• Dorsal fin : Starts from mid-back to near end of tail.
• Anal fin : Parallel to dorsal fin.
• Caudal fin : Slightly rounded, strong
• Pectoral fins : Round, soft
• Mouth : Wide, upper jaw protruding over lower jaw, many sharp teeth.

Banana fish behavior

A single snakehead fish swims alone in the tank.

In addition to its impressive and eye-catching appearance, the banana snakehead fish also has extremely interesting temperaments and behaviors, different from other fish species in the Channidae family, specifically as follows:

Habits

Banana fish like to live in freshwater areas such as ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, where the water is still or has a gentle flow, with many tree roots and rocks. However, this fish has an accessory respiratory organ, so they can also live in oxygen-poor, stagnant, shallow water,...

hunting behavior

The snakehead fish is a carnivorous animal with an impressive hunting strategy of hiding, stalking and then quickly pouncing on its prey.

They are also very sensitive to movement in the water thanks to their large, alert eyes and good reflexes.

Highly territorial

The banana fish is quite aggressive, especially with other fish of the same size. In the aquarium, if the area is not large enough, they can also attack each other.

Initially, when they are first kept in captivity, they will be very shy, but after a while they will become more tame and even swim closer to the person feeding them.

Good adaptability

The banana fish has an accessory respiratory organ and a good tolerance to hunger, allowing them to live in harsh conditions, and can even move on land for short distances and times.

How to raise banana fish from A to Z

A banana fish kept in an aquarium.

Currently, the snakehead fish is raised both as an ornamental fish and for its meat. Here are detailed instructions on how to raise this fish species, let's find out now.

Prepare the fish tank/pond

The first step to successfully raising snakehead fish is to prepare a suitable fish tank or pond, specifically as follows:

Pet breeding :

• Tank size : Minimum length 90 - 120 cm, height at least 40 cm.
• Volume : 160 - 300 liters for an adult fish.
• Filtration and aeration system : The water in the tank needs circulating filtration and light oxygenation to provide the best environment for the fish.
• Decoration : The tank needs to have lots of rocks, driftwood, hiding places and aquatic plants so that the fish feel close to nature and have lots of hiding places.
• Cover : The tank needs a cover because fish can jump out when stressed.

Commercial farming :

• Pond, lake or cement tank with area: 50 - 100 square meters or more.
• Water level: 0.8 - 1.5 m
• Base: Use mud or cement with fine sand lining.
• Pond treatment before farming: Kill miscellaneous fish, dry the bottom for 5-7 days, combine with lime and pond fertilization if farming with many other types of fish.

Water parameters suitable for snakehead fish

For banana flowers to grow best, your water quality must meet the following basic requirements:

• Temperature : 22 - 28 degrees Celsius
• pH : 6.5 - 7.5
• Dissolved oxygen : Over 3 mg/L
• Water depth : Tank is from 50 - 60 cm, pond is from 80 - 120 cm.
• Water change : Artificial tank changes 20 - 30% of water every week, pond periodically drains sediment.

Diet for banana fish

Channa maculata is a carnivorous fish, so in captivity, you should feed them the following foods:

• Small fish (seed fish): Daphnia, artemia, bloodworms or chopped bait fish, feed 2 - 3 times per day.
• Adult fish: Bait fish, live shrimp, small apple snails, pellets, feed 1 - 2 times per day.

Health care and disease prevention

Although banana fish have good adaptability and can live in harsh conditions, they are still at risk of some common diseases as follows:

• Fungal disease, white spots : Due to contaminated water, the water must be changed and the fish must be bathed with diluted salt water.
• Scratched, torn fins : Due to fish biting each other, it is necessary to separate the fish, create more hiding places or move to a larger tank.
• Bloat : Due to overeating and unsanitary food, it is necessary to change the water in the tank, reduce the amount of food and let the fish fast for 2-3 days.

Optimal disease prevention :

• Newly purchased fish need to be quarantined for 7 - 10 days before being released into the main tank.
• Use diluted salt at a ratio of 1 g/L to disinfect.
• Food quality is guaranteed, bait fish need to be treated before feeding to avoid disease transmission.

Banana fish price

Right below is the price list of banana flower snakehead fish and commercial fish that we have compiled from many reputable sources. You can refer to it to see if this fish species is valuable or not!

Price of banana fish seeds :

Retail price of banana fish at the market :

• Northern region: 85,000 - 110,000 VND/kg
• Central region: 70,000 - 90,000 VND/kg
• Southern region: 75,000 - 95,000 VND/kg

The value of banana fish in cuisine

Steamed snakehead fish with lemongrass.

Banana flower snakehead fish is very popular in the culinary industry because of its delicious, fragrant, firm, sweet meat and few bones. Specifically as follows:

• Firm, fragrant meat : Banana fish meat is firm, slightly chewy, not fishy, ​​has a natural sweetness, suitable for many dishes such as braised, fried, grilled, soup,...
• High nutritional value : This fish is rich in protein, essential amino acids and low in fat, low in bones, suitable for children, the elderly, and dieters. In addition, it also contains a lot of omega 3, vitamin B12, calcium,...

Some delicious dishes from banana flower fish:

• Grilled banana fish
• Crispy fried banana flower fish
• Banana fish in sour soup
• Grilled banana fish with salt and chili,...
• Steamed banana fish with lemongrass

Beautiful flower banana fish pictures

To help you understand the physical characteristics and easily distinguish the banana fish from other snakehead fish in the family, please admire the realistic and beautiful images that we have compiled below!

Image of banana snakehead fish with eye-catching patterns.

A baby snakehead fish is swimming in the water.

The banana fish stands out in a black background aquarium.

A snakehead fish is swimming close to the bottom.

Through the above article, snakehead.info has shared with readers all the information related to the flower banana fish . This is not only a beautiful ornamental snakehead fish but it also has high value in the commercial and culinary industry. If you want to try your hand at snakehead fish with an impressive appearance, easy to adapt, easy to raise but also brings high economic efficiency, the flower banana snakehead fish is not a bad choice.

If you want to explore more about the vast world of ornamental snakehead fish, please visit our Blog section to read more articles!