Which One of These Snakehead Species Setup Would You Go For? (Need Ideas)

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Aug 6, 2005
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Hello there, I have been thinking about starting a new snakehead species setup for my 150G.

These are my currently available options. Let me know which one you would go for:

1) Single / A pair of Channa Micropeltes.
image_zps6a391ced.jpg



2) Single / A pair of Channa Marulioides.
Channa-Marulioides.jpg



3) Single / A pair of Channa Marulius (Indian varient)
izabera11.jpg



4) Single / A pair of Platinum Channa Argus
Screenshot_2015-01-31-00-23-29_zpsvs00mjzq.png



5) A pack of Channa Pleurophthalma.
6977254143_997dd273ce_z.jpg



Besides these I also have currently available options for Channa Striata and Lucius. However, these are not within my list to have. I am yet to come across Channa Aurantimaculata or Barca. But I have seen Channa Bleheri. Anyway so share with me your preference from my stated options.
 
Based on those choices, I’d do the group of Channa pleurophthalma or the Channa micropeltes. You know, if they were legal in the US.
 
I Keep pleuros and i really love them, and i'd really like to keep Marulioides in the future. I think Micros and marulius are true monsters, the idea of keeping them is cool in the beginning, but they aren't really practical fish in my opinion.

Also, I think you're forgetting channa diplogramma. They are a much nicer version of micropeltes as far as im concerned. Just look at these colors...

Credits to kai
10629851_10200156939681977_9014830380264386696_n.jpg
 
Thank you so much for the replies. I am now leaning towards Channa Pleuros after watching this. This has to be the best looking Pleuros I have ever seen:

[YT]/kZGw6zo9wrQ[/YT]
 
I Keep pleuros and i really love them, and i'd really like to keep Marulioides in the future. I think Micros and marulius are true monsters, the idea of keeping them is cool in the beginning, but they aren't really practical fish in my opinion.

Also, I think you're forgetting channa diplogramma. They are a much nicer version of micropeltes as far as im concerned. Just look at these colors...

Credits to kai
10629851_10200156939681977_9014830380264386696_n.jpg

What an amazing shot of Diplo. Thank you for sharing that.

You are right the Diplos are beautiful. However a Channa Micropeltes comes in a variety of pattern during adulthood with green, orange, gold, purple, red etc. I am not sure if this happens with Diplo although they are definitely beautiful with greenish or bluish tones. Perhaps better than a common looking Micro.

Personally I prefer Micros over Diplos. Nevertheless I have not come across any Diplos. I would love to see it in person which I haven't had any luck with. And I may see how truly stunning it is.

You said you have Pleuros. How is their growth rate? Fast or moderate? Given that they are snakeheads and are active hunters they should grow up quickly. From what I have read Channa Marulius has the fastest if not one of the fastest growth rate(s). How many Pleuros do you have and in what tank size?

Thank you for your post.
 
I keep a group pf 5 pleuros in a 600lts/158g tank. You can see them here: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?560420-My-group-of-pleurophtalma
I believe it would be your best bet if you want active fish that are appropriate (sizewise) to your tank.
I think they growth is moderate (10-12" in the first year) with significant difference in the 1st 6 months between the dominant fish of the group and the others. However, I don´t feed everyday and some people feed more than once a day so... you may have different answers as regards growth
 
+1 for pleuro

Of the options you listed Pleuros are the only ones that are suitable for your tank and even then a group of active adults is going to make 150 crowded but it's doable. If you can find Auranti I would put them as top choice, max size is roughly the same as pleuro but they arn't as active 150g would be a perfect sized home for them.

Options 1-4 all require a tank twice that size even as a bare minimum.
 
I keep a group pf 5 pleuros in a 600lts/158g tank. You can see them here: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?560420-My-group-of-pleurophtalma
I believe it would be your best bet if you want active fish that are appropriate (sizewise) to your tank.
I think they growth is moderate (10-12" in the first year) with significant difference in the 1st 6 months between the dominant fish of the group and the others. However, I don´t feed everyday and some people feed more than once a day so... you may have different answers as regards growth

Very nice fish and setup Joao :)

+1 for a group of pleuro's
 
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