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Datasheet
| Minimum Tank Size | 200 litres / 52.83 US gallons |
| Maximum Size | 40.6cm / 15.98inches |
| Temperature | 26°C / 78.80°F - 30°C / 86.00°F |
| Hardness | 5-20 |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
General Description:The African Snakehead, scientifically known as Parachanna Obscura, is a predatory species that is best kept alone in aquarium settings due to its aggressive nature. It is sexually mature at 4 inches and is difficult to differentiate from its closely related species, P. insignis. This species is commonly found in Africa and is a valuable food fish in its natural habitat.
Aquarium Setup:For housing African Snakeheads, a tank size of at least 200 litres is recommended. The ideal tank setup includes loosely planted vegetation, floating cover, and open swimming areas. Water conditions should be maintained within a pH range of 6.0-7.5, hardness of 5-20, and a temperature between 26-30°C.
Behaviour:Being almost exclusively carnivorous, the African Snakehead preys on smaller fish and invertebrates. It is not advisable to keep them with fish smaller than two-thirds of their body size as they may view them as food. While suggested tank mates include similarly sized robust fish like polypterus and larger catfish, the safety of other species is not guaranteed due to the predatory nature of the African Snakehead.
Feeding and Diet:This species is known to be carnivorous, predominantly feeding on smaller fish and invertebrates in the wild. In captivity, they adapt well to frozen foods such as prawns, bloodworms, and mussels. Live foods are also enjoyed, while dried foods are usually not accepted by African Snakeheads.
Reproduction & Dimorphism:African Snakeheads are sexually dimorphic, with females being larger and plumper than males. Although breeding in captivity is possible but rare, they are cave-spawners and egg-scatterers. The courtship and breeding process involves circling each other until releasing eggs and sperm, which are guarded by both parents until hatching.
Habitat and Distribution:These fish are commonly found in dense marginal vegetation and swampy lowland floodplains in coastal northwest African countries such as Senegal, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan. The African Snakehead has a wide natural distribution across the African continent.