Snakehead fish Channa melasoma - The most successful fish care tips

Channa melasoma (black snakehead), the most primitive ornamental snakehead fish, has no patterns, is aggressive and has a strong vitality.

Channa melasoma (black snakehead), one of the wildest and most primitive snakehead species, originating from countries in the Southeast Asian region. Attracted by its rustic appearance, fierce temperament and high vitality, good adaptability.

In today's article, let's explore the habits and secrets of raising Channa melasoma fish successfully!

Information about snakehead fish Channa melasoma :

Origin of snakehead fish Channa melasoma

A black snakehead fish (Channa melasoma) swimming in black water.

Channa melasoma snakehead fish, also known as black snakehead fish, black snakehead, is a fish species originating and distributed from Southeast Asia, specifically as follows:

• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Indonesia
• Brunei
• Singapore
• Vietnam (Quite rare)

In nature, they often live in slow-flowing rivers, streams, ponds, swamps, where the water is dark, soft, and tea-colored (due to rotting leaves and decomposing tree roots).

Appearance of snakehead fish Channa melasoma

The appearance is primitive, without the pattern of the black snakehead.

Below is the most detailed description of the appearance of the snakehead fish Channa melasoma, a fish species with the most wild and primitive appearance.

• Body shape : Elongated, cylindrical, strong
• Size : Maximum 30 - 40 cm in adults, some can be up to 50 cm long.
• Color : The whole body is mainly jet black or dark gray, sometimes with a blue or purple glow under the light, without patterns like many other types of snakehead fish.
• Dorsal & anal fins : Extend along the body of the fish, fin edges have a blue sheen.
• Caudal fin : Round, slightly pointed, with bright edges.
• Head : Flat, slightly small, looks quite sharp
• Eyes : Small, set back and look quite fierce.
• Mouth : Wide, lower jaw slightly protruding, sharp, pointed teeth.

Snakehead fish Channa melasoma

Channa melasoma likes to hide in tree roots.

If you want to understand the behaviors and outstanding characteristics of Channa melasoma fish, please learn about their unique habits shared below.

Aggressive, territorial

Channa melasoma is a predatory fish with an aggressive nature, prefers to live alone and is very territorial. When kept with other fish species, they will be aggressive and even bite each other to compete and protect their area.

Mainly active at night

This fish species is usually active in the evening and at night, which is a convenient time for hunting without being watched by enemies. During the day, they will mostly find caves, driftwood, and aquatic bushes to stand still and rest, rarely moving.

Hunting in stealth

Channa melasoma has a unique hunting strategy, which is to find a hidden hiding place, wait for prey to swim by and suddenly rush out to grab it in a split second, which is completely suitable for the black water habitat with limited visibility.

Breathe fresh air

Like many other snakehead fish, Channa melasoma has an accessory breathing organ - labyrinth organ, so they can take oxygen directly from the air, so they can survive in oxygen-poor water. If kept in a tank with low dissolved oxygen, you will see them often come to the surface to breathe.

Like to hide

Despite their aggressive nature, Channa melasoma are sensitive to sudden noises and will hide in shelters such as tree roots, caves, aquatic bushes or dark areas to feel safe.

In addition, this fish species also does not like too strong light, especially when kept in artificial tanks.

Good jumping and crawling ability

Like many fish in the snakehead family, Channa melasoma can jump high when frightened or when they want to catch prey from above. They can also crawl on wet mud or wet grass to move to new water areas.

Secrets to successfully raising snakehead fish Channa melasoma

A Channa melasoma fish in its natural environment.

Right below is the most successful secret to raising Channa melasoma fish, compiled from experienced players, helping you succeed with this fish species right from the first time, let's find out now.

Create the most natural living environment

The important thing to help fish easily adapt and develop in captivity is that you need to create an aquarium with conditions similar to the natural habitat of this fish species, specifically as follows:

• Tank size : The tank should be at least 80 - 100 cm long and wide.
• Decoration : Need to create many hiding places by using driftwood, rocks, caves, dry leaves such as almond leaves, mulberry leaves, background color should be dark, dark because fish are sensitive to light.
• LED light : Use low or medium light, do not shine directly on the fish.
• Water filtration system : Use external filter to create slow flow.
• Aerator : Required for best fish growth.

Provide suitable water environment

For fish to grow healthy, live long, and have few diseases, you need to ensure clean water, stable pH and temperature, typically as follows:

• Temperature : 25 - 28 degrees Celsius
• pH : 6.0 - 6.8, slightly acidic
• Flow : Gentle, simulating stagnant pond water.
• Water change : Change 20 - 30% of the water in the tank every week.

Provide a reasonable diet

Although Channa melasoma is a predatory fish, it is not really a glutton, so in captivity you can feed them some of the following foods:

• Small fish
• Shrimp, small shrimp
• Insect
• Bloodworms, water worms

Note :

• You should change the menu to avoid fish getting bored of eating.
• For adult fish, feeding them 2-3 times per week is enough.

Should be raised singly to avoid conflicts

Because Channa melasoma has an aggressive and highly territorial nature, to help the fish grow best and not be stressed, you should only keep them singly. If you want to keep 2 fish, they must be successfully paired beforehand to avoid conflicts.

Observe and avoid stressing the fish.

Because Channa melasoma is quite sensitive to environmental changes, you need to pay attention to the following:

• Observe fish regularly for unusual changes.
• Keep the environment stable
• Restrict fish movement.
• Avoid turning lights on and off suddenly.

Prevention and treatment of Channa melasoma fish diseases

With the motto "prevention is better than cure", to keep fish from getting sick, you need to take optimal precautions, specifically as follows:

• Maintain a clean, stable water environment.
• Feed fish enough, not too much
• Isolate new fish for 7 - 14 days.
• Avoid keeping many fish in a small tank.

Common diseases :

How much is Channa melasoma snakehead fish?

Currently, there is no exact information about the price of Channa melasoma snakehead fish in the Vietnamese ornamental fish market because this fish is not widely popular. However, based on the price of other ornamental snakehead fish, we predict that its price will fluctuate from 450,000 VND/fish because it also includes import costs.

If you want to know the exact price, please contact reputable aquarium stores, aquarium groups or international e-commerce sites for information.

Image of snakehead fish Channa melasoma

We invite you to explore the collection of beautiful, wild, and realistic images of Channa melasoma snakehead fish to better visualize this rare fish species.

A pair of Channa melasoma fish living together peacefully.

Frontal view of Channa melasoma fish.

Black snakehead fish swimming on the bottom.

With its impressive appearance, aggressive temperament and high adaptability, Channa melasoma snakehead fish has attracted much attention and love from the wild aquarium hobbyist community. Hopefully, the content that snakehead.info shares above will help you feel more confident in raising this fish species.

If you want to know more about other ornamental snakehead fish species or learn about prices and tips for successful fish farming, don't forget to visit our Blog section to receive the most useful knowledge!