I brought a snake head!

[Vip]

Gudgoen snakehead that is, or that was what it was labeled. Its about 7" and is damn ugly but so cool! ive left it at the shop because i dont know what it go with.
Anyone here who knows what fish i got can they tell me if they will go with any of them because they told me they are agressive.

 

[CFC]

Lucky git!! I've been looking for a snakehead gudgeon for years but we just dont't seem to get them in the UK. The scientific name is Ophieleotris aporos, they grow to around 15 inches in length and are highly predatory taking down any fish under half their own size. It is said they do better in brackish water but wild populations are found in both fresh and brackish areas. Keep with similar sized but not overly aggressive fish.

 

[Vip]

What do you think with the black shark?

 

[CFC]

I think you already know as well as i do that the black shark will just kill the gudgeon. The shark needs a tank on its own and the gudgeon needs to be kept with large non aggressive fish like bala sharks, tinfoil barbs etc.

 

[SirMinion]

Certainly see why it's called a snakehead gudgeon!
What a great fish!

 

[Vip]

that looks nothing like mine Sirminion. i'll get a pic.

 

[SirMinion]

that looks nothing like mine Sirminion. i'll get a pic.

Heh, I googled that picture. I've never actually heard of them before!

That picture looks a lot like our purple spotted gudgeon, but with a longer face.

 

[Vip]

lol minion, it does look like a purple spotted one alot, you had me stressing! i will post a link now.

 

[Vip]

Ugly or what! but it does have more color in real life.

 

[Ben]

so what tank is he going in Vip?

do youthink you'll have to get a new one?

DD

 

[SirMinion]

Blimey! that looks nothing like what aqualog show to be the Snakehead Gudgeon!

On doing a little more research, it seems that Ophiocara porocephala is also known as a Snakehead gudgeon, and that is what you have there.
Also known as a Northern Mud gudgeon.

Darn common names!

Blimey! it's a bit of a beast! see this article

The fish is ferocious. It will literaly destroy anything you put in the tank, very very very territorial

edit: ok, now I'm confused, it seems that Ophiocara porocephala and Ophieleotris aporos are synonyms for the same fish.

Here's another couple of pictures:

 

[Vip]

It is spot on 100% the same as the 2nd picture there, i havnt got it at home yet i thought i better ask you 2 guys first, im picking it up tomorrow but im at a loss to witch tank its going in, i might put it in the 20g while i sort things out for a day or 2.
Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Black_Ghost_Guy]

Appears to be a sleeper species. Very interesting looking fish.

 

[DannyBoy17]

I think you already know as well as i do that the black shark will just kill the gudgeon. The shark needs a tank on its own and the gudgeon needs to be kept with large non aggressive fish like bala sharks, tinfoil barbs etc.

Whats a black shark?

Black Shark

Do you mean that guy?

DB

 

[CFC]

Yep thats a black shark, nasty aggressive beasts that grow to over 18 inches and destroy anything they share a tank with once they are over a foot.