Channa pleuropthalma (BLEEKER, 1851)

Ocellated Snakehead

SynonymsTop ↑

Ophicephalus pleurophthalmus Bleeker, 1851; Ophicephalus urophthalmus Bleeker, 1852

Etymology

Channa: from the Latin channe, used to refer to an unspecified species of sea perch.

pleuropthalma: from the Ancient Greek πλευρά (plevrá), meaning ‘side’, and ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós), meaning ‘eye’, presumably in reference to the series of ocellated spots present on the flanks of this species.

Classification

Order: Perciformes Family: Channidae

Distribution

Native to southeastern Sumatra plus the Kapuas and Barito river basins of Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo.

Type locality is ‘Bandjarmasin, Borneo, Indonesia’.

Habitat

Streams and mangroves.

Maximum Standard Length

300 – 350 mm.

Aquarium SizeTop ↑

An aquarium with base measuring at least 240 ∗ 60 cm is recommended.

Maintenance

Relatively unfussy although some  surface cover in the form of floating or overhanging vegetation or branches is appreciated. Unlike most Channa spp. it is pelagic and requires plenty of room to swim.

It is essential to use a tightly-fitting hood since Channa spp. are notorious for their ability to escape, and a gap should be left between this and the water surface as they require access to a layer of humid air.

Young individuals are extremely sensitive to water changes and do not require regular maintenance.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 22 – 28 °C

pH: 6.0 – 7.5

Hardness: 36 – 215 ppm

Diet

An obligate predator which probably feeds on smaller fishes, amphibians and terrestrial insects in nature, but in most cases adapts well to dead alternatives in captivity.

Some specimens even accept dried foods though these should never form the staple diet.

Young fish can be offered chironomid larvae (bloodworm), small earthworms, chopped prawn and suchlike, while adults will accept strips of fish flesh, whole prawns/shrimp, mussels, etc.

This species should not be fed mammalian or avian meat such as beef heart or chicken since some of the lipids contained in these cannot be properly metabolised by the fish, and may cause excess fat deposits and even organ degeneration.

Similarly, there is no benefit in the use of ‘feeder’ fish such as livebearers or small goldfish which carry with them the risk of parasite or disease introduction, and at any rate tend not have a high nutritional value unless properly conditioned beforehand.

Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑

C. pleurophthalma is among the few snakeheads known to form aggregations throughout its lifetime, but is still best-maintained in a species-specific aquarium.

Although generally a shy and wary species, it may become bold and attempt to attack tankmates if maintained in a conspecific group. Any fish small enough to be considered prey will be damaged or eaten.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexually mature males are more slender than females, plus males tend to develop a bluish colour pattern and females greenish.

Reproduction

Unrecorded. In nature, this species forms aggregations in open rivers and only forms temporary pairs during the reproductive period, which split from the main group to spawn in marginal vegetation before returning. Presumably there is no parental care.

NotesTop ↑

This species may also be seen referred to as ‘orange-spotted snakehead’.

Members of the family Channidae are commonly referred to as ‘snakeheads’ due to possession of large scales on the head of most species which are reminiscent of the epidermal scales (cephalic plates) on the heads of snakes.

There currently exist over 30 valid species but diversity within the group is likely to prove significantly greater.

Species from northeastern India were divided into the C. marulius and C. gachua groups by Vishwanath and Geetakumari (2009).

C. marulius is included in the former assemblage which the authors characterise by possessing the following combination of characters: a prominent V-shaped sharp isthmus; cephalic sensory pores arranged in groups; absence of scales on the lower jaw; a sharp, prominent, spinelike hypurapophysis; more branchial than epibranchial toothplates; an elongate urostyle.

All Channa spp. posses-s supplementary breathing apparatus in the form of paired suprabranchial chambers located behind and above the gills, although these are not labyrinthic but lined with respiratory epithelium.

These chambers allow the fish to breathe atmospheric air and survive in hypoxic conditions or even out of the water for a considerable period of time, and in aquaria they are often seen rising to the surface to take gulps of air.

References

1. Bleeker, P., 1851 - Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch Indië v. 1: 259-275
   Nieuwe bijdrage tot de kennis der ichthyologische fauna van Borneo met beschrijving van eenige nieuwe soorten van zoetwatervisschen.
2. Brede, N. and P. Antler, 2009 - Natur und Tier Verlag, Münster: 1-62
   Schlangenkopffische—Die Gattungen Channa und Parachanna.
3. Courtenay, W. R., Jr. and J. D. Williams, 2004 - Circular, U. S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey No. 1251: i-v + 1-143
   Snakeheads (Pisces, Channidae) - a biological synopsis and risk assessment.
4. Tan, H. H. and P. K. L. Ng, 2005 - The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement 13: 115-138
   The labyrinth fishes (Teleostei: Anabanatoidei, Channoidei) of Sumatra, Indonesia.