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AMAZONAS
86
Above: The young of Channa sp. “Redfin”
are golden yellow during their first weeks
of life. At this time the parents exhibit a
particularly attractive coloration.
Far right: The sight of brooding snakeheads
surrounded by their offspring is a special
treat for any aquarist.
ing of the young is uncomplicated,
as they can manage Artemia nauplii
immediately.
Channa sp. “Flameback”
Channa sp. “Redfin” and Channa sp.
“Fire & Ice” appear under various
names in the trade: “Dwarf Redfin”,
“Ice & Fire”, “Firefin”, “Red Chin”,
“Crimson Snakehead”, “Black Spotted Snakehead”, and
Channa sp. “Red” and Channa gachua “Red”. At the end
of 2011 two more names appeared: Channa sp. “Laos
Fireback” and Channa sp. “Flameback”. Not much is
known about the precise locality, but it is supposedly not
in Laos, but an area in northern Thailand on the border
with Laos.
These fish are very probably a form related to Channa
gachua or C. limbata, and one that can grow relatively
large. The first imported specimens were all around 6 to
9 inches (15–25 cm) long and apparently not yet fullgrown.
In this case we are dealing with a tropical rather
than a subtropical species. Temperatures of 73 to 86°F
(23–30°C) over the course of the year are recommended.
As with the other species discussed, there were problems
with the aggressiveness of the first wild-caught speci-
Channa sp. “Flameback” is another very
attractive species from the C. gachua or
C. limbata group.
mens, even in large aquariums.
However, these battles ceased after pair formation
and we were very quickly able to pick out a pair which
were peaceful and harmonious from then on, constantly
seeking body contact with each other. After just a few
weeks the first dummy spawning runs could be seen,
and after a few failed attempts at mouthbrooding, the
first successful breeding soon followed. Like all Channa
gachua–like forms these fish are paternal mouthbrooders.
The females again produce feeder eggs in this species, so
rearing the fry is very straightforward.
In the near future we will probably encounter even
more new snakeheads from the region (in fact, while
writing this article I read about Channa sp. “White Fin”,
probably a member of the Channa stewarti complex), and
it will be interesting and exciting to see what surprises are
in store for us.