Laos Fireback Snakehead (Channa sp. 'Laos Fireback')

Laos Fireback Snakehead Channa sp. 'Laos Fireback'
Name	Laos Fireback Snakehead
Name Lat.	Channa sp. 'Laos Fireback'
Family	Snakeheads
Family lat.	Channidae
Order	Labyrinth Fishes
Order lat.	Anabantiformes
Origin	South Asia
Habitat	Rivers, floodplains
Diet	Carnivore
pH	5.0-8.0
Behavior	Predatory
Keeping	Individual
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Mouthbrooder
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	N/A
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	15-20 cm
Temperature	20-28 °C
Hardness	5-20 °dH
Aquarium	120 cm / 240 l
US Units
Size	5.9"-7.9"
Temperature	68-82 °F
Hardness	89-356 ppm
Aquarium	65 gal

Distribution and habitat

Laos Fireback Snakeheads are native to Laos. They live in shallow, slow-moving waters, swamps and floodplains with dense underwater vegetation, hidden among roots, stones and fallen leaves.

Maintenance

They need an aquarium with dense planting, with many hiding places such as stone caves (e.g. perforated rock) and roots, as well as free swimming space. A dark sand substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond tree or beech leaves) and subdued light (floating plants) is ideal.

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

They are voracious predators. The diet consists of insect larvae, shrimp, mysis, small crabs, crab meat, and fish, which is readily accepted even frozen, or a commercial frozen food mix supplemented with live earthworms. Dry food is occasionally accepted, but should not be the main diet.

Only feed as much as will be eaten immediately (in 10 minutes or less). Regular and varied feeding promotes health and avoids deficiency symptoms

Behaviour and compatibility

Juveniles are compatible with each other, adults are aggressive within the species. In a larger tank, structured with many hiding places, pair keeping is also possible. They can be socialized well with calm, large fish, which they do not regard as prey

In principle, only mutually compatible fish species with similar requirements to the water condition and water temperature may be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The sexes are difficult to distinguish. Females are slightly larger and rounder, especially at spawning time. Males have a broader head when viewed from above and the dorsal fin is much more pronounced in males than in females.

Reproduction and breeding

There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.

They are probably, like the related Channa gachua, mouthbrooders, in which the male takes over the brood care (paternal mouthbrooders).

Important

The fish have not yet been scientifically described. Their name fireback, sometimes flameback, comes from the broad orange fringe in the dorsal fin

The fish should not be offered meat from mammals (beef, pork) or poultry, as it contains certain lipids that cannot be digested and therefore fat deposits and even organ degeneration can occur

They have an additional respiratory organ called the labyrinth (suprabranchial organ) with which they breathe atmospheric air and can suffocate if this is not possible. Since they like to jump, the aquarium must be well covered.

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: Alex Rinesch

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF