Snakehead fish Channa quinquefasciata - Instructions for raising max size fish

Channa quinquefasciata (five-striped snakehead), a small snakehead native to India, has a distinctive appearance with five black stripes evenly distributed on its body and wild habits.

Channa quinquefasciata (five-stripe snakehead, Channa sp. 5-stripe), a native fish of North Bengal, India, scientifically described in 2018, is one of the small snakehead species, impressive in appearance with 5 black stripes running along the body, wild temperament, quite rare in the aquatic world.

To learn more about the five-striped snakehead fish, please follow the content shared by ornamental snakehead fish below!

Information about snakehead fish Channa quinquefasciata :

Origin and distribution of snakehead fish Channa quinquefasciata

Channa quinquefasciata is a fish native to India.

Channa quinquefasciata or five-striped snakehead fish, a small fish species first discovered in Torsa river, Jalpaigurri district, West Bengal state, India, in the tropical moist forest.

They have a narrow distribution range, limited to the North Bengal region and have not been detected in other regions, so they are considered endemic to this region.

Currently, although Channa quinquefasciata is not listed in the Red Book, due to its limited distribution range, overexploitation and habitat loss, this fish species needs protection.

The name "quinquefasciata" is a combination of two words "quinque = 5" and "fasciata = striped" referring to fish with 5 stripes on their body.

Appearance of snakehead fish Channa quinquefasciata

The appearance of the Channa quinquefasciata fish is characterized by its five stripes.

Channa quinquefasciata has a special appearance, easily recognizable compared to many other snakehead fish species thanks to the five characteristic black stripes on its body. Let's learn more about the appearance of this fish below.

• Size : Maximum recorded is 18.3 cm, average under 15 cm.
• Body : Slightly round, long, slender, horizontally flattened, slightly humped back.
• Color : Body is yellowish brown or light gray, with 5 black diagonal stripes running from back to belly evenly distributed along the body.
• Head : Flat, slightly flared, eyes located on top of head.
• Mouth : Mouth slanted upwards, wide jaw, many sharp, strong, healthy teeth.
• Dorsal fin : Runs along the length of the body, has many black and brown spots
• Anal fin : Extends from belly to caudal peduncle, grey, pale edge.
• Caudal fin : Slightly rounded, with black spots forming a characteristic V-shaped pattern.
• Pectoral fins : Quite large, no pelvic fins.

Snakehead fish Channa quinquefasciata behavior

Five-striped snakehead fish like to hide in driftwood, rock caves, and plastic pipes.

Below are the basic habits and behaviors representing the five-striped snakehead fish. Please learn more to see if they are different from other fish in the Channa genus.

Solitary, highly territorial

Channa quinquefasciata lives alone or in pairs, does not swim in schools and is extremely wary of other fish, especially those of the same size. They always claim an area as their own territory and are ready to flare their gills and open their mouths to chase away intruders.

Fish only live in pairs, male and female, during breeding season and in a large enough tank with plenty of space to swim and hide.

Cyclic Operation

Five-striped snakehead fish are usually active at night, at this time they are very flexible, often swimming out to hunt. During the day they will hide under layers of rotten leaves, crevices in rocks, avoid direct light, preferring low light or darkness.

Ambush hunting

Channa quinquefasciata usually does not hunt, but instead lies motionless, waiting for prey to approach, then attacks quickly with a single bite using its wide jaws filled with sharp teeth.

Adaptability, good endurance

Like many other snakehead fish, the five-striped snakehead fish has an additional breathing organ that allows them to take oxygen directly from the air, so they can live and adapt well to the harshest conditions. They can even live for a short time outside of water if the environment is humid enough.

Mouthbrooding

Unlike many snakehead fish in the family, Channa quinquefasciata reproduces by mouth brooding, specifically as follows:

• The female will lay eggs floating in the water, then the male will fertilize the eggs directly and then take the eggs into his mouth.
• The male fish will incubate the eggs until they hatch into fry, during which time he will fast.
• After hatching, the baby fish will be protected by the father fish for a short time until they are able to fend for themselves.

Instructions for raising snakehead fish Channa quinquefasciata max size

A max size Channa quinquefasciata fish.

Channa quinquefasciata is a wild fish, quite rare plus they are difficult to keep, requiring seasonal temperature changes i.e. clearly distinguishing winter from summer so it is really not for the inexperienced hobbyist. The basic way to keep it is as follows:

Setting up the ideal aquarium

First, you need to set up an ideal tank for the five-striped snakehead fish so that they can quickly adapt and thrive in captivity. The tank needs to meet the following conditions:

• Capacity : Minimum 120 - 150 liters for 1 adult individual.
• Tank Cover : A cover is needed because the fish can jump out of the tank, but leave space between the water surface and the cover for the fish to come up to breathe.
• Water filter : Choose a medium filter that creates a gentle flow.
• Light : Low to medium, as fish prefer dim, dark light.
• Decoration : Arrange caves, driftwood, plant aquatic plants such as Japanese duckweed to block light, Java fern to give fish shelter.

Suitable water quality

Suitable water quality is a key factor in raising striped snakehead fish, because only when conditions are optimal can the fish grow and develop best. Some optimal water parameters are as follows:

• Temperature : 15 - 28 degrees C, optimal from 24 - 26 degrees C
• pH : 6.0 - 8.0
• Hardness : 36 - 257 ppm.

Food & proper nutrition

Channa quinquefasciata are carnivorous fish and are not demanding on their diet, some individuals can adapt well to pellets, however they should not be the main diet, you should still feed the fish with fresh food is best.

• Baby fish can eat : Mosquito larvae, small earthworms, shrimp, chopped shrimp, small live bait,...
• Adult fish : Chopped fish meat, shrimp, mussels, clams, earthworms, bait fish,...

Do not feed fish too much of the following foods :

• Mammalian and poultry meat such as beef heart, chicken,...
• Limit live bait fish as they have a high risk of carrying pathogens.

Note :

• You should train your fish to eat at fixed times.
• Feed fish a variety of foods, alternating between live food - frozen food - pellets.

Seasonal adjustment

This is an important action needed to help the five-striped snakehead fish grow well, live long and stimulate reproduction in captivity. Specifically as follows:

Health care, disease prevention for Channa quinquefasciata fish

For 5-striped snakehead fish to grow well and have few diseases, you need to pay attention to their health care and disease prevention, specifically as follows.

Basic principles of disease prevention :

• Change water periodically every week from 20 - 30%
• Quarantine new fish for 2 weeks before releasing them into the common tank.
• Clean the tank and periodically vacuum the bottom sediment.
• Create plenty of shelter, avoid strong light shining directly into the aquarium.
• Provide a nutritious and hygienic diet.

Prevention and treatment of fish diseases :

Price of snakehead fish Channa quinquefasciata

Currently, the selling price of Channa quinquefasciata ornamental snakehead fish has not been widely announced in Vietnam because it is not popular. However, on some Indian ornamental fish websites, five-striped snakehead fish are being sold at a price of 390 INR (about 115,000 VND) for 1 fish, and when imported to Vietnam, some service and transportation costs will be added, so the price will certainly be much higher.

For the most accurate information, please contact some aquarium stores or snakehead fish groups on Facebook to get specific prices.

Beautiful Channa quinquefasciata snakehead fish pictures

Because the five-striped snakehead fish is very rare in Vietnam, right below, we have collected for you many beautiful, natural images of Channa quinquefasciata fish. Let's admire them right away to fully feel their wild beauty.

Close-up of the face of a five-striped fish.

A five-striped snakehead fish is swimming in an aquarium.

Close-up of the wild, ferocious expression of the Channa quinquefasciata fish.

A Channa sp. 5-stripe fish hiding behind a rock.

The article on snakehead.info has shared with you information related to snakehead fish Channa quinquefasciata (Five-striped snakehead fish, Channa sp. 5-stripe ) including origin, habits and the most effective way to raise fish, hopefully you will successfully apply it to own a snakehead fish with the wildest and most beautiful appearance.

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