Peacock Snakehead - Channa pulchra
Peacock Snakehead (Channa pulchra)
The Peacock Snakehead is a stunning dwarf snakehead from Myanmar, known for its blue-grey body, orange spotting, bold pectoral fin markings and powerful predatory behaviour. Also sold as the Beautiful Snakehead or Coloured Snakehead, Channa pulchra is one of the more manageable snakehead species in size, but it is still a specialist predator that needs a secure, spacious and well-structured aquarium. This is not a standard community fish — it is best suited to experienced keepers who understand predatory freshwater species, seasonal temperature variation and the need for a tight-fitting lid.
Common Name:
Peacock Snakehead. Also commonly referred to as the Beautiful Snakehead, Coloured Snakehead, Blue Pulchra Snakehead or Myanmar Beautiful Snakehead.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Channa pulchra
Maximum Size:
Around 25–30 cm, with FishBase listing up to 30 cm total length. Aquarium specimens are often seen slightly smaller, but it should still be planned for as a large predatory fish.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Native to Myanmar, where it is known from the headwaters of the Kyeinthali Chaung river system in Rakhine State. In the wild it is associated with clear, highly oxygenated subtropical streams, rocky areas, marginal vegetation and seasonal changes in water level and temperature.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 18–24°C for long-term maintenance
Seasonal warmer periods up to around 25–26°C can be tolerated, but it should not be kept permanently as a high-temperature tropical fish.
pH Range: 6.5–7.8
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Predatory and territorial. It may be kept singly or as a compatible pair, but pairing is never guaranteed and aggression can occur, especially as fish mature. It should not be kept with small fish, delicate community species or anything that can fit in its mouth.
Diet:
Carnivorous predator. It should be offered a varied meaty diet including earthworms, prawns, mussel, cockle, white fish, lancefish, bloodworm, krill and good-quality carnivore pellets once accepted. Avoid relying on live feeder fish, as these can introduce disease and are not necessary for long-term care.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 300–400 litres for an adult or compatible pair, with a large footprint, strong filtration and plenty of cover. Bigger is always safer, especially if attempting a pair.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is a bottom-to-mid level predator that spends time cruising the aquarium, resting under cover and watching for food. It is an obligate air-breathing fish, so it must have access to the water surface at all times. A tight-fitting, escape-proof lid is essential, as snakeheads are powerful jumpers and can escape through surprisingly small gaps.
Aquarium Category:
Predator
This species is best kept in a species-focused setup or with carefully chosen, robust tank mates that are too large to be eaten and not aggressive enough to damage it. Suitable companions are very limited and may include larger peaceful bottom-dwellers or robust fish in a suitably large aquarium. Avoid small community fish, fin nippers, aggressive cichlids, delicate species and any fish that may be swallowed.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
This species needs a secure aquarium with a tight lid, covered filter gaps and a small warm air space above the water surface. It should be kept in a mature aquarium with excellent filtration, good oxygenation, subdued lighting, plants, wood, rocks and shaded retreats. A cooler winter rest is strongly recommended for long-term health, so avoid keeping it permanently at high tropical temperatures. Never release snakeheads into the wild under any circumstances.
Suitable for:
Experienced fishkeepers
Availability:
Occasional in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
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Peacock Snakehead - Channa pulchra
Peacock Snakehead - Channa pulchra
Peacock Snakehead (Channa pulchra)
The Peacock Snakehead is a stunning dwarf snakehead from Myanmar, known for its blue-grey body, orange spotting, bold pectoral fin markings and powerful predatory behaviour. Also sold as the Beautiful Snakehead or Coloured Snakehead, Channa pulchra is one of the more manageable snakehead species in size, but it is still a specialist predator that needs a secure, spacious and well-structured aquarium. This is not a standard community fish — it is best suited to experienced keepers who understand predatory freshwater species, seasonal temperature variation and the need for a tight-fitting lid.
Common Name:
Peacock Snakehead. Also commonly referred to as the Beautiful Snakehead, Coloured Snakehead, Blue Pulchra Snakehead or Myanmar Beautiful Snakehead.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Channa pulchra
Maximum Size:
Around 25–30 cm, with FishBase listing up to 30 cm total length. Aquarium specimens are often seen slightly smaller, but it should still be planned for as a large predatory fish.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Native to Myanmar, where it is known from the headwaters of the Kyeinthali Chaung river system in Rakhine State. In the wild it is associated with clear, highly oxygenated subtropical streams, rocky areas, marginal vegetation and seasonal changes in water level and temperature.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 18–24°C for long-term maintenance
Seasonal warmer periods up to around 25–26°C can be tolerated, but it should not be kept permanently as a high-temperature tropical fish.
pH Range: 6.5–7.8
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Predatory and territorial. It may be kept singly or as a compatible pair, but pairing is never guaranteed and aggression can occur, especially as fish mature. It should not be kept with small fish, delicate community species or anything that can fit in its mouth.
Diet:
Carnivorous predator. It should be offered a varied meaty diet including earthworms, prawns, mussel, cockle, white fish, lancefish, bloodworm, krill and good-quality carnivore pellets once accepted. Avoid relying on live feeder fish, as these can introduce disease and are not necessary for long-term care.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 300–400 litres for an adult or compatible pair, with a large footprint, strong filtration and plenty of cover. Bigger is always safer, especially if attempting a pair.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is a bottom-to-mid level predator that spends time cruising the aquarium, resting under cover and watching for food. It is an obligate air-breathing fish, so it must have access to the water surface at all times. A tight-fitting, escape-proof lid is essential, as snakeheads are powerful jumpers and can escape through surprisingly small gaps.
Aquarium Category:
Predator
This species is best kept in a species-focused setup or with carefully chosen, robust tank mates that are too large to be eaten and not aggressive enough to damage it. Suitable companions are very limited and may include larger peaceful bottom-dwellers or robust fish in a suitably large aquarium. Avoid small community fish, fin nippers, aggressive cichlids, delicate species and any fish that may be swallowed.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
This species needs a secure aquarium with a tight lid, covered filter gaps and a small warm air space above the water surface. It should be kept in a mature aquarium with excellent filtration, good oxygenation, subdued lighting, plants, wood, rocks and shaded retreats. A cooler winter rest is strongly recommended for long-term health, so avoid keeping it permanently at high tropical temperatures. Never release snakeheads into the wild under any circumstances.
Suitable for:
Experienced fishkeepers
Availability:
Occasional in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
Original: $20.27
-65%$20.27
$7.09Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
Peacock Snakehead (Channa pulchra)
The Peacock Snakehead is a stunning dwarf snakehead from Myanmar, known for its blue-grey body, orange spotting, bold pectoral fin markings and powerful predatory behaviour. Also sold as the Beautiful Snakehead or Coloured Snakehead, Channa pulchra is one of the more manageable snakehead species in size, but it is still a specialist predator that needs a secure, spacious and well-structured aquarium. This is not a standard community fish — it is best suited to experienced keepers who understand predatory freshwater species, seasonal temperature variation and the need for a tight-fitting lid.
Common Name:
Peacock Snakehead. Also commonly referred to as the Beautiful Snakehead, Coloured Snakehead, Blue Pulchra Snakehead or Myanmar Beautiful Snakehead.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Channa pulchra
Maximum Size:
Around 25–30 cm, with FishBase listing up to 30 cm total length. Aquarium specimens are often seen slightly smaller, but it should still be planned for as a large predatory fish.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Native to Myanmar, where it is known from the headwaters of the Kyeinthali Chaung river system in Rakhine State. In the wild it is associated with clear, highly oxygenated subtropical streams, rocky areas, marginal vegetation and seasonal changes in water level and temperature.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 18–24°C for long-term maintenance
Seasonal warmer periods up to around 25–26°C can be tolerated, but it should not be kept permanently as a high-temperature tropical fish.
pH Range: 6.5–7.8
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Predatory and territorial. It may be kept singly or as a compatible pair, but pairing is never guaranteed and aggression can occur, especially as fish mature. It should not be kept with small fish, delicate community species or anything that can fit in its mouth.
Diet:
Carnivorous predator. It should be offered a varied meaty diet including earthworms, prawns, mussel, cockle, white fish, lancefish, bloodworm, krill and good-quality carnivore pellets once accepted. Avoid relying on live feeder fish, as these can introduce disease and are not necessary for long-term care.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 300–400 litres for an adult or compatible pair, with a large footprint, strong filtration and plenty of cover. Bigger is always safer, especially if attempting a pair.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is a bottom-to-mid level predator that spends time cruising the aquarium, resting under cover and watching for food. It is an obligate air-breathing fish, so it must have access to the water surface at all times. A tight-fitting, escape-proof lid is essential, as snakeheads are powerful jumpers and can escape through surprisingly small gaps.
Aquarium Category:
Predator
This species is best kept in a species-focused setup or with carefully chosen, robust tank mates that are too large to be eaten and not aggressive enough to damage it. Suitable companions are very limited and may include larger peaceful bottom-dwellers or robust fish in a suitably large aquarium. Avoid small community fish, fin nippers, aggressive cichlids, delicate species and any fish that may be swallowed.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
This species needs a secure aquarium with a tight lid, covered filter gaps and a small warm air space above the water surface. It should be kept in a mature aquarium with excellent filtration, good oxygenation, subdued lighting, plants, wood, rocks and shaded retreats. A cooler winter rest is strongly recommended for long-term health, so avoid keeping it permanently at high tropical temperatures. Never release snakeheads into the wild under any circumstances.
Suitable for:
Experienced fishkeepers
Availability:
Occasional in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
