New and first Channa

[StiffMeister]

Hi guys, this weekend i bought my first channa. Check out these pics (taken with foon so not best quality):

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa183/Saikological/6.jpg

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa183/Saikological/5.jpg


It was kind of an impulse buy as he was so beautiful and was staring at me, almost begging to take him home.

Ive read quite a lot about these fish but would like some personal xp from you guys about the following:
He is currently around 20cm and in my quarantine tank. I plan to put him in a tank with my 30cm ST, 50cm aro, 22.5-45cm panaques, 14-16cm botias and 25cm bichirs. Do you think they will do well? I know this species can be agressive but i think the presence of some other big fish will keep things under control. Do you think, when he grows bigger, he will start bothering/killing the smaller panaques or other fish?
What about the cold season. I dont plan on breeding so is it really necessary to give him a colder winter?
And last but not least, due to stock, i do a lot of waterchanges. Ive read that SH dont really like this. Will it bother this fish much or not? Tap water is really good here, with no chlorine etc.

Hope you can help me with my questions! Thanks in advance.

[Timmy]

My favorite species!

[ironmunki]

beautiful channa. congrats on the pickup!

[WhiteLineRacer]

The prob with large water changes is the fluctuation in temp. They don't like it.

[StiffMeister]

No problem on that bro, i have thermo tap which does the exact same temp. Are the volumes no problem?

[Andri Pogo]

beautiful, what species is it?

[StiffMeister]

aurantimaculata

[stotty]

Very nice pick up very nice fish! When I had my one a few years back Snakeheads.org told me about the cold season and to winter the fish up until this point it had been in a 6ft with some other odd balls and was no problem.

[ironmunki]

So this is the other channa that is illegal in MD, huh? Its a pity because it is a truly beautiful looking fish. Not that I'd have a snowballs chance of getting one this side of the pond anyway....

[StiffMeister]

Thanks for the kind words and advice guys. Hes doing great and ive gained some info thru pm. I think he will be just fine in main tank when he grows a bit bigger. I will only need to keep an eye out on my smaller fish.

[Loubard]

Indeed a sweet looking fish bro!

[StiffMeister]

Thanks Koen :)

[lilfats2]

thats a cool avatar great movie too lol

[StiffMeister]

heheh yeah, love it too. didnt make it myself tho.

The channa doesnt really like the erythrinus. The latter is scared sh*tless of the channa so lets hope he grows quick so he can go into main tank and give the wolf his life back.

[stotty]

I acutely found with my one he was more inquisitive than aggressive I have never had a erythrinus but did have a Hoplias malabaricus this did do some damage to one of my small snake heads one night took some chunks out of it. Once again keep us posed they are a very cool snakehead my one used to feed out of my hand and was actually quite gentle.

[channa-pl]

aurianti rules !!! yeah!!!

[StiffMeister]

ty :)

@ Stotty; he actually is agressive towards the mini wolf. He really does want to bite him. Luckely heas eating feeders like a pig so he will soon be big enuff for main tank.