Similar looking to Channa Micropeltes. Is there?

[AU_Arowana-RG]

Are there any snakehead species that look similar to micropeltes (Patterning, body form), but grows smaller and/or doesn't have the "RIP APART ANYTHING" syndrome? Cause 1 fish in a big tank (Species or Comm, I don't care how I should keep it (Though commability may affect my decisions)) would just be so...Plain.

I could handle a single lungfish, but for channa, at least a pair.

 

[SawtoothGrin]

Maybe a Pleuro...same body shape as micro...but not the pattern tho...and not as agressive...and can tolerate community tank.

 

[intrxz]

yup..a pleuro..

 

[jordanlewis100]

channa diplogramma looks almost exactly the same as micro but not sure of temperament,for comm pleuro's are best

 

[gigas12]

Yes like jordanlewis said its most probably channa diplogramma.

 

[tropheus]

diplogramma will grow to a similar size to micro ,maybe a bit smaller , and just as capable of ripping anything up.

it would depend on what tank you are thinking of , pleuros are probably the main channa that people seam to get away with in a comm tank if you just wanted one ,but they still need quite a bit of room as they swim none stop ,a tank of at least 7foot should be considered. there are loads of diferant species out there and many that look far better than micros , if you want two in a tank ,then have a look through one of the stickys and see what species you prefer the look of and can house correctly , then buy a small group of juvies and grow them out until a pair forms , then you will have a very impressive pair swimming around , there is a snakehead out there to suit most sized tanks , its just finding what you like most , if you like the argus there are some good argus look alikes ,i.e. maculata panaw ect , maculatas teeth are more impresive than a micros . but you may not like the pattern on them . pleuros are fantastic if you have the space , also maurloids is another but again like lots of room , if you tell us which size tank you are going for , we could supply you a list of all that are suitable.


cheers col

 

[AU_Arowana-RG]

In feet: 8x4x4.

Main emphasis fish will be a school of Arowanas (Silver, Asian, Black, African, Jar, Lei). Other considerations are Featherback Knives, Spiny Eels, Gars, a Lungfish, and aformentioned snakeheads. Issue is that I don't want to have the money I would pay for a Red or Crossback Gold and Australian Lungfish wasted when I find out that they are starting to get attacked by some micropeltes or micropeltes wannabe.

Currently, I'm trying to screen species, and I have no definites on what I want in the tank other than the Aros (Who will number between 6-8). This is a plan I will only start after college and my work training because I won't have the money to do it now and I don't have the space as well. Getting the tank after graduation from my dad and an Aro as a gift from my mom.

Tropheus, I know your stand against snakehead comming, but at least, may I be given some recommendations? And I really like the patterning of the micro, which is why I want to look for something with a similar pattern or at least a simila scheme (I consider the Obscura similar to the micor in some way in terms of patterning.)

 

[tropheus]

thanks for the extra info mate , that makes things a lot easier to advise you on , the only channa i would attempt to house with your other stock would be a pleuro , i would not chance any other snakehead with an expensive fish. i have had a red bite a much larger arrow in half. there would still be a chance with a pleuro but a much reduced chance as they seam to tolerate most other fish. some other have gotten away with obscura .

personally in your set up i would go with a very large red pike cichlid or even a pair of them ,they would be far more suited to that set-up , something like theese http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141602 , in my experiance arowanas and snakeheads do not mixt to well as the snakehead need to use the upper part of the tank to breath, this useally starts fights with arrows



cheers col

 

[AU_Arowana-RG]

That's why I'm avoiding the Red's.

So, anyone else with experience on the comm matter? Cause I'd like to see other viables, supposing anyone else has tried. To this date, I only know that King-El has kept Maruliodes, Striata, and Lucia with Aros and several other Monster Fish.

 

[AU_Arowana-RG]

Other question. Since there are seemingly no snakeheads with similar patterns to Micros, canI know which ones have a darker upper body compared to the lower body (And*Ahem* not murderous in the micro way?)?