Product Details

Peacock Snakehead – Channa pulchra

Overview:

The Peacock Snakehead is a stunning predatory fish from western Myanmar, admired for its blue-grey body colour, orange-edged fins, speckled face and bold, intelligent behaviour. Channa pulchra is one of the more manageable snakeheads in terms of size, but it is still a specialist predator rather than a standard community fish. It is best suited to experienced aquarists who can provide a large, covered aquarium, cooler subtropical conditions and carefully chosen tank mates or a species-only setup.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Peacock Snakehead
Other Names: Blue Snakehead, Coloured Snakehead, Beautiful Snakehead, Myanmar Peacock Snakehead, Pretty Snakehead
Scientific Name: Channa pulchra
Fish Type: Snakehead / Predatory Labyrinth Fish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The Peacock Snakehead is native to Myanmar, where it was described from the Kyeintali Chaung basin in the Rakhine Yoma region. FishBase lists Channa pulchra as an obligate air-breathing snakehead, first described by Britz in 2007 from Myanmar.

In nature, this species is associated with subtropical streams and river habitats rather than permanently hot tropical swamps. Aquarium care should therefore include clean, well-oxygenated water, shaded cover, resting places and a seasonal cooler period.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Peacock Snakeheads have an elongated, muscular body with a broad head, large mouth and long dorsal and anal fins. Colour is usually blue-grey to slate, with pale speckling over the head and body, orange or yellow edging to the fins and dark markings that intensify with mood and maturity. The pectoral fins often show attractive banding and colour, giving the fish its “peacock” trade name.

Adults usually reach around 25–30 cm, with FishBase listing a maximum of around 30 cm total length. This is smaller than many large snakeheads, but still much too large and predatory for ordinary community aquariums.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best for a specialist predator aquarium, subtropical oddball setup or carefully managed species tank. It needs a spacious aquarium with a large footprint, dimmer lighting, wood, caves, robust plants, floating cover and open areas for movement. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as snakeheads are powerful jumpers and air-breathers that may leave the aquarium if given the chance.

It is not suitable for small tanks, warm tropical community aquariums, delicate tank mates or aquariums with any fish small enough to be eaten.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 300 litres for a single adult or settled pair, with a tank footprint of at least 120 cm x 45 cm recommended. Practical Fishkeeping suggests a tank around 100 x 45 x 45 cm or larger for this species, but a larger aquarium is safer for long-term adult care and territorial behaviour.

Groups should only be attempted in much larger aquariums with many hiding places and careful monitoring.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 18–25°C, with a cooler seasonal rest strongly recommended
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard; stable conditions preferred
Additional Notes: This is not a fish for permanently hot water. Practical Fishkeeping recommends relatively cool maintenance around 20–22°C, with warmer summer periods tolerated, while Fishkeeper notes that it is a subtropical species that benefits from a cool winter rest.

Leave an air gap above the water surface, as Channa breathe atmospheric air.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Predator

Peacock Snakeheads are predatory, territorial and can be aggressive towards similar fish. Suitable tank mates, if attempted, must be robust, too large to swallow and able to cope with cooler subtropical conditions. Possible companions in large aquariums may include larger barbs, robust loaches or suitably sized oddball fish, but a species-only setup is often the safest option.

Avoid small fish, shrimp, Cory-type catfish, small plecs, delicate community fish, fin-nippers and aggressive cichlids that may provoke fights. Snakeheads may form pairs, but compatibility is never guaranteed. Conspecific aggression can be serious, and groups require a lot of space and cover; Aquainfo also notes that Channa pulchra can be aggressive towards its own kind and needs seasonal temperature reduction.

Feeding:

Peacock Snakeheads are carnivorous predators. Offer a varied meaty diet including earthworms, prawns, mussel, cockle, white fish, krill, bloodworm, large brineshrimp, insect larvae and quality carnivore pellets once accepted. Juveniles may take frozen foods readily, while adults should be conditioned onto a varied non-live diet.

Avoid routine use of feeder fish, as they can introduce disease, encourage poor feeding habits and offer poor nutritional control. Do not overfeed; mature snakeheads do better on measured meals rather than constant heavy feeding.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is an intelligent, observant predator that often recognises its keeper and patrols its territory. It may rest under floating plants, inside caves or among wood, then become more active at feeding time. Snakeheads regularly rise to the surface to breathe air, which is normal behaviour. During breeding, pairs may become extremely territorial and protective.

Care Notes:

A secure lid is essential, including gaps around pipes and cables. Keep the aquarium covered, shaded and structured with multiple retreats. Provide a seasonal cooler period rather than permanently high tropical temperatures. Do not mix with small fish or ornamental shrimp. Maintain clean water, but avoid excessive current that prevents the fish resting comfortably. This species is not suitable for casual community tanks and should never be released outdoors.

Recommended For:

Experienced

Availability:

Occasional / Specialist predator fish / Usually imported

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern and markings can occur between individual fish.