I have breed the red snakehead and several other species. I used to have 17 different species and had several pair of each species for breeding purposes . Sadly I sold off all my snakeheads shortly after the ban in 2002 as I could no longer ship SH across state lines. Yes I am still pissed I was breeding 1000 fish per month.
Back to breeding the Reds. Your Reds are large enough to breed but your 300gal tank is too small, I used a 8x4x4 and a 12x4x4 plywood tank I never got them to breed in anything smaller. Also both tanks were heavily planted and I mean the whole bottom was planted. There were 4" strip lights over the tanks. You definitely have a pair there is no way 2 reds would live together if they weren't a pair. Well they are male and female but they still might not breed, SH like to choose there mate form several choices. I started with 9 fish, got 2 good pairs and several dead fish. When 2 fish decide they are a pair they will kill the other snakeheads QUICK! The only time I was able to choose the pair of snakeheads to breed was with a pair of Northern snakeheads. I had 2 uniquely colored and patterned fish that happened to be male and female.
I will add that it isn't hard to the sexes apart with most snakeheads. I almost fell over laughing when I read
"To sex them the fish must be anaesthetised and then the sex organs must be checked, being there are small differences in the placement of the sexual organs on the male and females"
I can't think if a species of snakehead from little rainbows to giant reds that cant be sexed easily. You just got to know your Channa.
So the filter needs to be addressed, first remove the powerheads Reds breed in calm water. I had a canister filter but both the intake and the output from the canister were plumed to small under gravel plates at each side of the tank so there was almost no current in the tank. (this was a tank for breeding reds not keeping them in) also the heater was in line with the filter, breeding reds can break a heater. Also all channa are shy breeders. I have had parents kill there fry because I let a friend look at them or I was working on my car and the air compressor turned on. It dosnt take much to freek them out, I doubt they will breed in a fish store. I bred my reds in a garage the was not part of the house and I would feed them every other day. One other thing once you have fry be careful of the parents, they will come out of the water to attack you just to "protect" the fry.
and don't feed your SH beef heart or chicken just cut up fish and pellets if they will eat them...no feeders unless they are cichlids.
Thats all for now good luck
Back to breeding the Reds. Your Reds are large enough to breed but your 300gal tank is too small, I used a 8x4x4 and a 12x4x4 plywood tank I never got them to breed in anything smaller. Also both tanks were heavily planted and I mean the whole bottom was planted. There were 4" strip lights over the tanks. You definitely have a pair there is no way 2 reds would live together if they weren't a pair. Well they are male and female but they still might not breed, SH like to choose there mate form several choices. I started with 9 fish, got 2 good pairs and several dead fish. When 2 fish decide they are a pair they will kill the other snakeheads QUICK! The only time I was able to choose the pair of snakeheads to breed was with a pair of Northern snakeheads. I had 2 uniquely colored and patterned fish that happened to be male and female.
I will add that it isn't hard to the sexes apart with most snakeheads. I almost fell over laughing when I read
"To sex them the fish must be anaesthetised and then the sex organs must be checked, being there are small differences in the placement of the sexual organs on the male and females"
I can't think if a species of snakehead from little rainbows to giant reds that cant be sexed easily. You just got to know your Channa.
So the filter needs to be addressed, first remove the powerheads Reds breed in calm water. I had a canister filter but both the intake and the output from the canister were plumed to small under gravel plates at each side of the tank so there was almost no current in the tank. (this was a tank for breeding reds not keeping them in) also the heater was in line with the filter, breeding reds can break a heater. Also all channa are shy breeders. I have had parents kill there fry because I let a friend look at them or I was working on my car and the air compressor turned on. It dosnt take much to freek them out, I doubt they will breed in a fish store. I bred my reds in a garage the was not part of the house and I would feed them every other day. One other thing once you have fry be careful of the parents, they will come out of the water to attack you just to "protect" the fry.
and don't feed your SH beef heart or chicken just cut up fish and pellets if they will eat them...no feeders unless they are cichlids.
Thats all for now good luck
