Little Emperor Snakehead Fish - Characteristics, Breeding & Care

The Little Emperor Snakehead is a beautiful predatory fish with colorful patterns. Learn more about its origin, appearance, and how to raise it to produce beautiful colors.

The Little Emperor Snakehead (Channa Stewartii) is a beautiful, unique predatory fish that is loved by many aquarium hobbyists. They have a brilliant appearance with attractive patterns and a strong personality, so they bring many interesting experiences to the owner.

If you want to learn more about the Little Emperor snakehead fish, follow the article below of ornamental snakehead fish , we will share details about the origin, appearance as well as habits and how to care for this fish species.

Origin of Little Emperor Snakehead Fish

Little emperor snakehead fish or Channa Stewartii - bluefin salt and pepper snakehead fish.

The Little Emperor Snakehead, scientifically known as Channa Stewartii, is a predatory fish of the Channa family. They were first found in the Brahmapitra water systems of Assam, India. They are also found in some areas of India such as Bangladesh and Myanmar.

In addition to the name Little Emperor snakehead fish, they can also be called Assam fish, bluefin salt and pepper snakehead fish.

Nowadays, thanks to its beautiful and impressive appearance, this fish breed is bred and developed popularly in fish farms in Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Appearance of Little Emperor Snakehead Fish

Little Emperor snakehead fish with unique and extremely beautiful patterns.

The Little Emperor Snakehead Fish is an ornamental fish with an eye-catching appearance with unique patterns and vibrant colors. Let's learn more about the appearance of this fish:

• Size : There are two popular sizes: medium size from 13 - 16cm, large size from 16 - 20cm, max size Little Emperor snakehead fish can be up to 30cm long if raised in good conditions.
• Shape : Elongated body, slightly flattened on both sides, large, triangular head, wide mouth, sharp teeth.
• Dorsal and anal fins : Extend almost along the body, blue or pale yellow with black edges.
• Caudal fin : Rounded, blue or pale yellow in color, with black edges and dark black stripes.
• Eyes : Large, yellow or light orange in color.
• Body : The fish's body is colorful with a light blue background, dotted with black spots spread throughout the body, creating an extremely beautiful contrast.
• Lifespan : Can be up to 10 years.

Little Emperor Snakehead Fish Behavior

The Little Emperor Snakehead is not suitable for living with other small fish because of its aggressive nature.

The Little Emperor Snakehead has the behavior of a predatory fish. Let's learn more about the behavior and living habits of this fish species.

Aggressive and highly territorial

The Little Emperor Snakehead is extremely aggressive in nature, especially when grown. They will attack any fish that dares to invade their territory, and it is best not to keep them with fish that are smaller than them.

Active hunting

In nature, the Emperor Snakehead is an active predatory fish. They have a habit of hiding behind aquatic plants or under the mud and then suddenly attack their prey.

Night activities

Little Emperor Snakehead Fish are usually active at night and at dawn, because at that time the light is weak so they can more easily attack their prey.

Reproductive behavior

The reproductive habits of the Little Emperor Snakehead fish are also very different from other ornamental snakehead fish species, specifically as follows:

• They only pair up during breeding season, then return to their solitary habits.
• The female lays her eggs in burrows or among dense aquatic vegetation, the eggs will be attached with a ribbon at one end, the eggs will develop into larvae with external gills, can swim freely until they become juveniles.
• Initially, the male fish will guard the eggs, then both will protect the young.
• The baby fish will be 1 - 2 cm long, with an appearance identical to the parent fish.

How to take care of max size Little Emperor snakehead fish

A snakehead fish is swimming at the bottom of the tank.

If you want to raise a well-developed Little Emperor snakehead fish, grow to maximum size and have beautiful colors, you need to pay attention to the food source, tank and suitable water parameters, specifically as follows:

What do Little Emperor snakehead fish eat?

Food for Little Emperor snakehead fish in the natural environment:

• Small fish This is the main food source.
• Shrimp, crustaceans in water.
• Earthworms, red worms.
• Insects, amphibians such as grasshoppers, frogs, toads,...

Food for Emperor snakehead fish in captivity :

• Recommended to feed live foods such as: baby fish, small bait fish, fresh shrimp, earthworms, earthworms, red worms.
• Prepared food: Specialized pellet food for ornamental snakehead fish (Should be trained from a young age so they can get used to it).

Suitable diet for Little Emperor snakehead fish:

• Baby fish (Under 10 cm) : Feed 2 - 3 times /day with appropriate amount of food.
• Adult fish: Feed once a day or every other day as they digest slowly.

Aquarium design suitable for raising Little Emperor snakehead fish

A suitable aquarium for Little Emperor snakehead fish needs to have the following basic parameters and elements:

Aquarium size :

• Minimum volume 200 L for 1 adult fish, if raising more then need large tank from 300 - 550 L.
• Tank size 100 x 50 x 60 (Length x width x height).
• A tank cover is needed because snakehead fish can jump very high.

Water filtration & aeration system :

The Little Emperor Snakehead can thrive in low oxygen environments, but must be kept clean and have a good filtration system. Change the water periodically from 20 - 30% per week to remove toxins and clean the tank.

Tank decoration :

• The tank floor should be lined with small gravel, sand or light mud.
• Create a shelter by placing large driftwood and cave rocks.
• Add aquatic plants with strong roots such as taro, ferns, cycads,...

Light and flow :

Little Emperor Snakehead fish do not like strong light, just use medium power light. Create a light or medium flow, do not use a strong pump.

Suitable water parameters for raising Little Emperor snakehead fish

Suitable water parameters for raising bluefin salt and pepper snakehead fish are as follows:

• pH : 6.5 - 7.0
• Temperature : 24 - 26 o C.
• Water mineral content : 5 - 15 dGH.
• Ammonia : 0 ppm.
• Nitrite : 0 ppm.
• Nitrate : < 20 ppm.

How to release Little Emperor snakehead fish when you first buy it

Little Emperor snakehead fish are quite sensitive to changes in environment, so when you first bring them home, you should not put them in the tank immediately but follow the instructions below to avoid the fish being shocked by the water.

• Step 1 : Check if the water parameters in the tank meet the above requirements.
• Step 2 : When buying, avoid shaking the fish bag too much to avoid shocking the fish.
• Step 3 : Let the fish bag float in the tank for 15 - 20 minutes to help the fish adapt to the temperature in the tank.
• Step 4 : Open the bag, slowly add water from the tank into the bag, every 5 minutes add 50 ml, repeat 4-5 times.
• Step 5 : Use a scoop to catch the fish in the bag and put them in the tank. Do not pour the water in the bag directly into the tank to limit water pollution or disease transmission to the fish.
• Step 6 : After releasing the fish into the tank, turn off the lights for 4-6 hours to help the fish adapt well. Do not feed them for 1 day to help the fish stabilize.

Common diseases in Emperor snakehead fish and how to prevent and treat them

Little Emperor snakehead fish stands out under the light.

Here are some common diseases in Emperor snakehead fish, you need to observe carefully to detect and treat promptly.

White fungus, white spot disease

This is a parasitic disease that often occurs in ornamental fish.

• Cause : Due to the parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, due to poor water quality, low water temperature below 24 o C
• Symptoms : Small white spots appear on the body and fins of the fish like salt grains, the fish often rubs against rocks because of itching, the fish is lazy to eat, and is lethargic.
• Treatment : Increase water temperature to 28 - 30 o C continuously for 5 - 7 days, use coarse salt at a dose of 2g/1L of water, use medicine to treat white fungus in fish.

Ulcer disease

This is a dangerous bacterial infection in ornamental fish, including Little Emperor snakehead fish.

• Causes : Poor quality of the fish, high ammonia concentration, fish scratches due to biting each other and then infection.
• Symptoms : Ulcers appear on the skin, fish swim weakly, and have poor appetite.
• Treatment : Isolate sick fish with antibiotics, bathe fish with heart medicine to kill bacteria, keep water clean.

Droopy eyes

This is an eye disease known as retinal detachment that can affect the fish's ability to see.

• Causes : Due to a diet lacking in vitamin A, fish swimming a lot at the bottom where there is little light, due to genetics, due to collision,...
• Symptoms : Sunken eyes, even slightly bulging.
• Treatment : Supplement vitamin A through foods such as shrimp, beef liver, keep the light just enough, not too dark.

Price of Little Emperor snakehead fish

The Little Emperor Snakehead Fish is a rare and famous ornamental fish in the ornamental fish world, their price will depend a lot on origin, size and country.

• The price of Golden Cobra Snakehead fish in international markets such as the UK and Singapore ranges from 3,000,000 - over 10,000,000 VND.
• The price of the Little Yellow Snakehead fish in Vietnam after calculating shipping and tax usually ranges from 2 million to 5 million VND for an average sized fish.

Little Emperor Snakehead Fish Image

Right below, we have collected some beautiful pictures of Emperor snakehead fish, please admire more to fully feel the beauty of this fish breed!

An adult Little Emperor snakehead fish.

Two little Emperor snakehead fish are swimming next to each other.

The Little Emperor Snakehead fish stands out in the aquarium.

Thus, through the article on snakehead.info has shared detailed information about the Little Emperor snakehead fish , hopefully through this you have clearly known the origin, habits as well as how to take good care of this fish species.

If you want to learn more about other beautiful ornamental snakehead fish, please visit our Blog section now to read more articles!