As is typical for the genus eggs are deposited on the ceiling of a cave or crevice and guarded by the male until hatching.

Several potential sites should be offered in the form of rocks (flat slate tends to be easiest to handle, see below), terracotta pipes, plant pots, etc.

A nuptial male will select a site and defend it agai…

Prefers a dimly-lit aquarium with plenty of cover in the form of live plants, driftwood branches, terracotta pipes, plant pots, etc., arranged to form a network of nooks, crannies, and shaded spots.

Surface vegetation such as Ceratopteris spp. is also appreciated and makes the fish less inclined to conceal themselves.

Based on its colour pattern and limited details regarding its natural habitat this species may be adapted to dwelling between and under rocks.

Alipurduar lies in the moist tropical region of floodplains and foothills of the eastern Himalayas commonly referred to as the Dooars or Duars, traditionally considered the gateway to Bhutan.

This unidentified species first appeared in the aquarium trade during 2009.

It’s easily told apart from similar-looking congeners by the patches of vivid red pigmentation surrounding the eye and sides of the mouth plus the thick, reddish, marginal band in the caudal-fin.

This species was considered synonymous with the Indochinese congener C. micropeltes for over a century before being revalidated in 2011.

Like in C. micropeltes colour pattern varies depending on the age of the fish.

Juveniles possess two longitudinal black stripes on the head and body with the are…

It’s one of several genus members to lack pelvic fins and following Chaudhuri (1919) also has 51 lateral line scales, 38 dorsal-fin rays, 28 anal-fin rays, 12 caudal-fin rays, 15 predorsal scales, pectoral-fins with alternating dark and light bands, and white-tipped dorsal…

Has been observed to inhabit vertical burrows around the margins of wetlands which typically become dry during winter months.

These burrows are most often around a metre dee…

This species was considered a synonym of Channa melasoma for a number of years prior to its revalidation by Ng. et al. (1996).

Specimens larger than around 120 mm SL can be distinguished by possession of a black spot in the centre of numerous body scales and a barred caudal-fin pattern, characters which are missing in both C. melasoma and the similar-looking C. cyanospilos.

This species is largely unsuitable for the home aquarium given its eventual size and natural behaviour, and we know of only a handful of private aquarists with the facilities required to house it long-term.

It’s currently illegal to import or own the species in the United States, United Kingdom and several other countries unless in possession of an official license.

No bubble nest is built and several thousand eggs simply float at the surface with both male and female remaining to defend the eggs and fry.

The eggs hatch after 24-36 hours depending on temperature and the fry are free swimming in a further 24 hours. At this point they resemble 6-7 mm long black tadpoles.

It is important to constantly feed…