The Rainbow Snakehead/Channa by David Marshall

Author's note: Please note that the following article is adapted from two articles which first appeared in Ryedale Reporter magazine, the information for which was gathered together by Mr. David Marshall, Mr. Kevin Webb and members of the Anabantoid Association of Great Britain (of which both David and Kevin are long standing members).

Membership of the A.A.G.B. is open to all aquarists with an interest in labyrinth fish and you can find further information about this group, and their bi-monthly publication 'Labyrinth', through their web-site at www.aagb.org or by contacting David, at the address above, who will then gladly pass on your enquiry to the Information Officer.

THE RAINBOW SNAKEHEAD/CHANNA

by David Marshall and Kevin Webb
Aquarticles

This beautiful fish is available in the aquarium hobby in what we will class as a 'normal' and a 'blue' form. As we shall see the scientific status of the 'blue form' is, at this point in time, the source of much debate within the hobby.

'NORMAL FORM'
This fish was scientifically named, as late as 1991, Channa bleheri in honour of the well known fish collector and explorer Mr. Heiko Bleher.

Channa bleheri originates from the Upper Assam region of India. Along with its lesser known (in a hobby perspective) cousin Channa marulius (whose lateral side black circular blotches form a symbol associated with Sudarsham Chakra) this is a fish much revered in local folklore and religious belief.

This beautiful fish is shaped like a large cigar with fins. The ventral fins have a bright tiger pattern with the blue dorsal edged in a brilliant orange. The well set jaws make easy work of smaller fish species. Primitive labyrinth organs allow this fish to survive in poorly oxygenated waters.

In aquaria this fish demands plenty of space in which to move around, hard alkaline water and, surprisingly, an aquarium located in a much illuminated site. We have read accounts of C. bleheri that were successfully maintained alongside large barbs, bushfish and the larger Botia species but recommend a species only set-up in order to avoid any compatibility problems.

Wild reports suggest that a pair of C. bleheri court in a manner very similar to that seen in the larger gourami species with the actual spawning taking place inside a cave-like structure. In aquaria most spawnings see the female deposit eggs into a raft-like nest (the first English language account of an aquarium spawning appeared in 'Wild About Animals' magazine which, sadly, appears to be no longer available in the U.K.). Her mate guards first the eggs and then the resulting fry.

'BLUE FORM'
You may have seen this Snakehead for sale under the name of Channa bleheri 'blue' but, until the scientific community verify the situation, there is no valid reason to suggest that this fish actually is a blue variation of C. bleheri and thus, at some point in the future, it may be assigned a scientific name in its own right? Until a proper classification is undertaken it is best to refer to this species as Channa sp. 'Blue Assam'.

We have already given away the natural distribution of this species. Out of interest the Assam region of India is a natural treasure house of Snakeheads with Channa orientalis, C. barca, C. marulius, C. punctata, C. striatus and C. stewartii also found here.

Size gives us the first indications that C. sp. 'Assam Blue' maybe a different species as they grow to a smaller body size than the 'true' C. bleheri. A.A.G.B. Size Guide reflects this with C. bleheri at 20cm total body length and C. bleheri 'blue'/.sp. 'Assam Blue' at 15cm tbl.

Pair or group in a large tank. pH6. Good filtration is essential. Not prone to illness - even velvet. Will eat large sized live and commercial aquaria foods.

Sexable through slight differences in colour, body depth and size of head. A member of the A.A.G.B. recently spawned this species, which we believe spawns to a monthly cycle, and gave access to the following notes:- - The pair made their initial courting in the safety of a cave (as we noted was reported in the wild with 'true' C. bleheri). - They then moved out into open water for the actual act. Over several hours, and with no timed pattern, the pair made several spontaneous and incomplete spawning wraps (no embrace as noted with several gourami sp. etc.). - Sadly our friend did not witness the shedding of eggs and milt etc. A number of eggs were spotted floating on the surface. As the expelled eggs of an orally incubating Channa species are impossible to artificially hatch these were left as seen. - As the member concerned promised to up-date us on any future spawnings of this particular species 'watch this space'.

Finally if you can add to our knowledge of either of the two forms of Rainbow Snakehead, can add to the debate as whether you think they are distinct species or not or if you would like to tell us about any of the Assam Snakeheads mentioned above feel free to contact David, you are guaranteed a reply.