The Northern Snakehead / Channa Argus: Does Anyone Here Keep Them?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
To answer your question I doubt you could ad a second snakehead after the fact. once a snakehead is kept solo, even if only for a short time ,it is VERY unlikely to ever except a tankmate/mate. So start them together very young if your going to try.

Also it's worth mentioning the group behaviour is a juvenile thing. They are not schooling/pack hunting fish like Pleuros . As juvies they'll school and be friendly to their own kind but once they mature they pair (or don't) and become highly territorial toward their own kind.

Hope that helps.

I was thinking the same. The MFKer Inter has 4 Platinum Argus. He must have kept them together since little.

Here is a video of Argus in a group. Interesting communication between them. Must have been together since small and the space should help lessen aggression too.

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But I agree with you. It is highly risky especially once it has been kept solitary. And if disaster occurs housing the two separately becomes a problem unless there's an extra tank sitting at home.

Thank you for the kind reply.
 
Pretty pretty I'm hoping to come across a NS in the local lfs.

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Yes I've seen many people with groups but never mature adult fish. Considering the adult size on these guys , they likly don't even start to mature until 16-18"+ so it leads to the illusion of being able to keep then in groups. Most people can't/don't keep them into adulthood due to the large size so they don't see/experience the true nature of these beasts.

yes all channa I've kept do communicate both with body displays and jaw snapping/clicking. Normally most obvious between young males who are starting to show off for females . They'll start with some jaw snapping that turns into flaring and dancing and females watch on the side.

You'll find plenty of examples of people keeping Micros in groups or mixed tanks as well and they also seem successful at first but it's always young fish. Those who keep them long enough realized the error one day when they wake up one morning to find all but one fish is dead!

Mixing channa is really not a gamble at all, it would be more accurate to compare it to a time bomb lol putting a group together is like starting the countdown, it's not a matter of IF they turn on eachother
but WHEN.
 
Yes I've seen many people with groups but never mature adult fish. Considering the adult size on these guys , they likly don't even start to mature until 16-18"+ so it leads to the illusion of being able to keep then in groups. Most people can't/don't keep them into adulthood due to the large size so they don't see/experience the true nature of these beasts.


I agree with you, Snakeheads are very unpredictable. A pair or group of very peaceful Micros or Argus can all of a sudden decide to kill each other. It's very confusing what triggers these behaviours besides sexual maturity. Because it can even happen between peaceful juveniles and babies. I've bought a pair of baby Emperors from a peaceful group at the local lfs. Few days later one decided to constantly harrass and injure the other. There was just no way I could help the two get along.


yes all channa I've kept do communicate both with body displays and jaw snapping/clicking. Normally most obvious between young males who are starting to show off for females . They'll start with some jaw snapping that turns into flaring and dancing and females watch on the side.

What do you think about nodding and shaking their head in a short jerky manner? I've seen Argus do this, even a single Argus. I wish I could know what it means. Maybe there's a chance to become the Snakehead whisperer. :D

You'll find plenty of examples of people keeping Micros in groups or mixed tanks as well and they also seem successful at first but it's always young fish. Those who keep them long enough realized the error one day when they wake up one morning to find all but one fish is dead!

I've seen large Micros in pairs and groups at home and display aquariums. But I've also seen peaceful micros having grown together since little turn on each other. It's very unpredictable. I would either get a single or a pair. And if it's a pair I can only hope they tolerate each other for life.

Mixing channa is really not a gamble at all, it would be more accurate to compare it to a time bomb lol putting a group together is like starting the countdown, it's not a matter of IF they turn on eachother but WHEN.

I can't disagree with you on this. Some will tolerate other species of fish like a Marulioides but will hate another Snakehead species. Nevertheless a peaceful community that have lived together since little could all of a sudden have one ripped apart, killed or eaten by a 'quiet and peaceful' Snakehead. And it should really not be a surprise. To decide on getting a Snakehead should also consider the fact that one should prepare for the reality of one Snakehead per tank.
 

Beautiful group of Channa Argus. Thank you for sharing. Are they yours? How big are they and how long have you kept them?
 
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