Bleher's Snakehead, lat. Channa bleheri- Channa bleheri distribution
- Channa bleheri in its habitat
Family: Channidae;
Genus: Channa;
Species and synonyms: Bleher's Snakehead (Rainbow Snakehead, Channa bleheri).
GBIF:
Bleher's Snakehead (lat. Channa bleheri) is a species of predatory labyrinth fish from the order Anabantiformes, family Channidae, genus Channa.
Distribution. The natural range of Bleher's Snakehead is limited to the Brahmaputra River basin in northeastern India (Assam state) and adjacent areas of Bangladesh. This species prefers slow-flowing and standing waters with dense aquatic vegetation, driftwood and soft substrate. The water in their habitats is usually warm, with low hardness and acidic or neutral reaction (pH 6.0–7.0). During the monsoon season, the water level rises significantly, and during the dry season, the fish can survive in shallow puddles and swamps.
Care requirements. Bleher's Snakehead is one of the most beautiful and at the same time peaceful representatives of its family, which makes it very popular among aquarists. For a pair of fish, an aquarium of 100 liters is recommended, for a group — from 200 liters. A tight-fitting lid is mandatory, as the fish are capable of jumping out of the water. Optimal water parameters: temperature 24–28°C, hardness 2–12 dGH, pH 6.0–7.5. Powerful filtration with moderate water flow is necessary, but at the same time, it is important to have thick plant thickets, driftwood and shelters. Weekly water changes of 20–30% are required. Bleher's Snakeheads are predators, feeding on live and frozen foods: fish (small guppies, danios), shrimp, mussels, bloodworms, tubifex. They are not inclined to accept dry foods. Adults should be fed 2–3 times a week, juveniles — daily. Males grow up to 15–20 cm, females — up to 10–15 cm. Males are larger, more brightly colored and have a sharper and higher dorsal fin.
Bleher's Snakeheads are labyrinth fish with a suprabranchial organ that allows them to breathe atmospheric air. This gives them the ability to survive in oxygen-poor water, but requires access to the surface. Breeding is triggered by soft water (2–5 dGH) and a temperature increase to 26–28°C. The male builds a nest of foam and vegetation on the water surface. The female lays up to 300–500 eggs. Incubation lasts about 30–36 hours. Fry start feeding on brine shrimp nauplii and small zooplankton. Parents care for the offspring until the fry begin to swim independently (about 3–4 weeks).
Particularly popular among aquarists are the color variations of Bleher's Snakehead, in particular, the so-called "blue form" (Blue Bleheri), which for a long time was mistakenly considered a separate species, but was later reclassified as a distinct species — Channa andrao (Andrao Snakehead). Bleher's Snakehead is distinguished by its bright rainbow coloration, combining red, yellow, orange and blue shades, especially noticeable in adult males during the spawning period. The intensity of coloration directly depends on the quality of nutrition and keeping conditions.