Home / Fishes / Gouramis, bettas, snakeheads / Ceylon snakehead

Federal restrictions apply

Ceylon snakehead

Channa orientalis

Also known as Smooth-breasted snakehead

Fishes › Gouramis, bettas, snakeheads (Anabantiformes) › Channidae (Snakeheads)

The Ceylon snakehead (Channa orientalis) is a species of snakehead found in freshwater habitats, typically shaded streams, in southwestern Sri Lanka (although occasionally claimed to occur in other countries, this is misidentifications of relatives,…

Intro from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Aquarium hobby

Experience: Expert / facility

FamilySnakeheads

Adult lengthup to 13 in

WaterFreshwater, brackish

HabitatLives in freshwater and brackish water

Care at a glance

Species-specific aquarium care

Tank: At least 30 in long and 12 in front to back for one adult (adults commonly reach about 6.3 in / 16 cm; the largest recorded was 13.0 in).
Water: Freshwater (tolerates brackish).
Temperature: 73–79°F (range recorded for this species).
pH: 6–8.
Hardness: 5–19 dGH.
Layout: Uses both the bottom and open water: give open swimming space plus cover near the substrate.
Diet: A predator: feed meaty foods sized to its mouth (frozen fish, shrimp, worms); it will eat tankmates that fit in its mouth. FishBase classes it as a carnivore.

Calculated from this species' own FishBase record: tank size from its typical adult length and swimming zone, water values from its recorded ranges. The group guide below fills in general care.

Warnings

Federal legal status: Federal restrictions apply. See the federal legal snapshot and check your state rules before getting one.

Care guide

Species care notes

Tank: a base of at least 35 × 12 in (roughly 21 US gallons); space needed is rated “large tank”.
Water: a fairly wide range, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, 61–75 °F, pH 5–7.5, 1–10 dGH.
Behaviour: temperament peaceful; in a pair; not a community fish.
Difficulty: Moderate (Seriously Fish rating).

Short excerpts from the species profile:

Setup: “Prefers a dimly-lit aquarium with a layer of surface vegetation such as Ceratopteris spp.”
Diet: “An obligate predator which probably feeds on smaller fishes and insects in nature, but in most cases adapts well to dead alternatives in captivity.”
Tankmates: “Best maintained in the absence of other fishes, and captive breeding should be the priority given its conservation status.”
Breeding: “This species is a paternal mouthbrooder which forms lasting pair bonds.”

From the Seriously Fish profile for this species, which has the full habitat, maintenance, diet, behaviour and breeding write-up 167

Group care guide

Snakeheads

Applies to most species in this group. Habitat: Asian and African rivers. Individual species can differ, so compare with the species numbers above and the linked sources.

Housing & setup

Not available legally in most of the U.S.

Sources 117 119 164 118 177

Diet

Predatory: fish and meaty foods.

Sources 117 119 164 118 177

Health watch

All snakeheads are federally listed injurious wildlife.

Sources 117 119 164 118 177

Understanding the animal

In the wild

From this species’ own FishBase record (habitat, bottom type, water and breeding data), not its family. Good care copies these conditions.¹

Where it lives	Lives in freshwater and brackish water, in rivers and streams, lakes, estuaries. Uses both the bottom and open water. Are broadly adapted species occurring in rivers, lakes, ponds, mountain streams and even brackish water.
Water it lives in	Freshwater / brackish water, 73–79 °F (23–26 °C), pH 6–8, hardness 5–19 dH.
Climate	Tropical climate.
Wild diet	Hunting macrofauna (predator).
Behavior to plan for	Breeding: external brooders.

What this means for care

Keep water within its wild range, 73–79 °F.
It tolerates or needs brackish water; check salinity needs before setup.

FishBase species summary: Channa orientalis

Native climate (measured)

Warm-season highs	about 91°F (up to 102°F in the hottest sampled areas)
Cool-season lows	about 55°F (down to 45°F in the coldest sampled areas)
Average temperature	68–81°F across sampled records
Relative humidity	72–78% on average (driest month about 64%)
Rainfall	about 1997 mm a year, with strong wet and dry seasons

Measured at 77 wild occurrence records sampled against WorldClim 2.1 climate data (1970–2000 averages). Air conditions in the range are ecological context, not enclosure settings: microhabitats such as burrows, leaf litter or basking rocks can be cooler, warmer or more humid.

From the sources

Quoted from the matching sections of reputable sources for this exact species. Specialist databases are used first; Wikipedia (community-edited, CC BY-SA 4.0) only fills gaps. Other sources are short credited quotes.

Overview	The Ceylon snakehead (Channa orientalis) is a species of snakehead found in freshwater habitats, typically shaded streams, in southwestern Sri Lanka (although occasionally claimed to occur in other countries, this is misidentifications of relatives, usually C. gachua). It is evaluated as Vulnerable by the IUCN and some do consider C. orientalis as a threatened species. — Wikipedia (community-edited)
Where it lives	Home ranges Population dynamics Growth parameters Max. ages / sizes Length-weight rel. Length-frequencies Mass conversion Recruitment Abundance Life cycle Reproduction Maturity Maturity/Gills rel. — FishBase
Behavior	They are predatory fish that feed on plankton, insects, and sometimes small amphibians. They can breathe on land for short periods of time because they have accessory respiratory organs through which they can use atmospheric oxygen to breathe. During wet weather, they can survive on land for more than four days, but if their bodies dry up, they die because it becomes difficult for them to exchange atmospheric oxygen. — Wikipedia (community-edited)
Reproduction	Eggs hatch in the mouth of the male and either parent may keep the brood in its mouth for protection after hatching. Fry have been found to feed on successive batches of eggs laid by the female. — FishBase
Appearance and size	C. orientalis has a standard length of up to 10 cm and is one of the smallest species in the family, making it a dwarf snakehead. It lacks pelvic fins and this distinguishes it from some of its relatives, including C. gachua, a widespread species that also occurs in Sri Lanka (although the Sri Lankan population possibly should be recognized as a species of its own, C. kelaartii). — Wikipedia (community-edited)
Biology	Obligate air-breathing; Are broadly adapted species occurring in rivers, lakes, ponds, mountain streams and even brackish water. Usually hide under the cover of marginal roots and bogwood. Found in quiet, shaded, clear, flowing water with a silt or gravel substrate. — FishBase

Data and studies

The numbers

Each bar is what one source reports. Where several sources weigh in, the dashed gold band marks their average.

Adult length

Average of sources5.1–8.4in

FishBase 1646.3–13

Seriously Fish species profiles 1673.9

Common length to maximum recorded length. Measured as total length. Fish in home aquariums often stay smaller than wild records.

Water temperature

Average of sources67–77°F

FishBase 16473–79

Seriously Fish species profiles 16761–75

Range the species tolerates in nature; aim for the middle.

pH

Average of sources5.5–7.8

FishBase 1646–8

Seriously Fish species profiles 1675–7.5

Water hardness

Average of sources3–14.5dGH

FishBase 1645–19

Seriously Fish species profiles 1671–10

Minimum tank footprint

Reported35in

Seriously Fish species profiles 16735

Seriously Fish recommends a tank base of at least 35 × 12 in (about 21 US gallons).

Federal legal snapshot

Federal restrictions apply

Federal injurious wildlife (Lacey Act). Listed in 50 CFR 16.13. Importing it into the U.S., or shipping it to or from Hawaii, Puerto Rico or U.S. territories, is prohibited without a USFWS permit (issued only for zoological, educational, medical or scientific purposes). Under USARK v. Zinke (2017), the federal rule does not bar moving animals between the 49 continental states, but many states ban these species themselves. 177 189

State law decides most of it. Each state sets its own permits and bans for exotic, native, venomous and dangerous animals, and cities and counties can be stricter. Find your state agency →

Not covered by the Animal Welfare Act

The Act only covers warm-blooded animals. Reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates have no federal care standards, even at licensed facilities; state and local rules may still apply.

Kept in captivity?

Every species on this site needs evidence that people actually keep it. For this one:

Has a Seriously Fish aquarium species profile
FishBase records it in the aquarium trade (Aquarium=commercial; AquariumFishII=based mainly on capture)

Sources for this sheet

FishBase (Froese & Pauly, eds.), version 24.07 Peer-reviewed researchThe global scientific database on fishes, maintained by a consortium of research institutions; every value is referenced.
Seriously Fish species profiles Experienced keeper or breederLong-running aquarium reference written and peer-checked by experienced fishkeepers and ichthyologists; each profile covers habitat, tank size, water, diet, behaviour and breeding.
50 CFR Part 16: Injurious wildlife (Lacey Act) Zoo, university or veterinaryCurrent federal regulation, read from eCFR.
U.S. Association of Reptile Keepers v. Zinke (D.C. Cir. 2017) Zoo, university or veterinaryAppeals ruling that the Lacey Act's shipping ban does not cover moves between the continental states.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Management of aquarium fish Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Types and features of aquatic systems Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Nutritional diseases of fish Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
Wikipedia (species article) Community referenceFree encyclopedia; useful overviews with their own citations. Intro text is quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0.