Its a Red snakehead channa micropeltes (i think)
Heres something about them from Practical Fish keeping mag
Many a fishkeeper has unwittingly introduced this month’s featured fish into the aquarium as a colourful youngster - but the bright colour fades as the fish grows... and grows. RICHARD HARDWICK of Wharf Aquatics explains why the Red snakehead should be handled with the utmost of care...
The Red Snakehead originates from Asia including India, Thailand, Burma and Malaysia. It inhabits rivers, lakes and swamps and can survive drought when oxygen levels are low. This is done with the use of an accessory breathing organ that enables it
to take in atmospheric air.
Red snakeheads are extremely desirable particularly when young, displaying vivid colouration with red being the most dominant. However, this gives way to more subdued shades of colour, but it is still a striking fish.
These fish are victims of the all-too-familiar Red tail catfish syndrome: people just cannot resist that cute little fellow. As a result, the fish are bought from dealers who don’t know the eventual sizes, or by people who are ignorant as to the long-term well-being of this species.
This fish can reach 90cm/36” or more, even in the aquarium, so they need spacious accommodation and excellent filtration. I would use large, external bucket filters because being piscivores (see fact file), they can be rather messy feeders.
A steady flow back to the tank is best as snakeheads use their auxilliary air-breathing organs to obtain some oxygen. Ensure there is a good gap between the covers and the water’s surface or the fish will drown.
Twice weekly water changes of 25% are beneficial. This is due
to the food they consume,
which is very rich in protein.
Take care...
Red snakeheads are best kept singly when adult unless they can be provided with aquaria in excess of 2270l./500 gal. Make no bones about it - this fish can inflict serious injury not only to other fish, but also to its keeper. It’s probably one of the most dangerous oddballs one could wish to keep in an aquarium.
Some people do keep the snakehead with other fish; all I would say to them is to keep a close eye on the situation as this fish rarely takes prisoners...
If someone came into our shop asking for the freshwater equivalent of a great white shark, the Red snakehead would be for them. With its dark top, white underside, temperament and fine set of teeth, who would argue...?
But this really is a fish for experienced fishkeepers only.
Factfile
The Red snakehead
Channa (Ophicephalus) micropeltes
Size: This fish can grow to over 90cm/36” - even under captive conditions.
Guide price: Prices start at around £6 for a juvenile and £40-50 for a 30-38cm (12-15”) specimen.
Aquarium care: Because this fish will reach its full potential in captivity, I would suggest a tank size of 180 x 90 x 60cm (6’ x 3’ x 2’) as a minimum, although I would start them off in aquaria much smaller than this during the growing-on process because it is easier to offer food.
The best tank set-up would include some surface cover in the way of floating plants to give it a sense of security. Other plants would be beneficial, but anchoring them can prove difficult with such a large fish parading around.
Fine gravel makes the ideal substrate as anything lighter such as sand will end up being suspended in the water by the movements of such a monster. This will in turn block most filter systems.Standard aquarium lighting will suffice.
Water parameters: These fish like slightly warmer water than many tropical fish at around 26-27°C/78-82°F.
General hardness and pH values are
not critical - just avoid extremes.
Diet: This fish is a true piscivore, devouring large amounts of fish as well as the occasional water vole that passes by. However, they do not require live fishes in their diets, readily accepting sprats, mussels, large earthworms and chunks of beef heart from the butcher.
Young snakeheads need feeding on a daily basis while they are growing, but once they reach 45-90cm/18-24”, two feeds a week will do fine.
Fully grown fish should be fed using forceps to prevent injury - to the human.
Breeding: Little is known about breeding behaviour, but they are said to be fiercely protective of their young, even to the point of attacking humans who so much as dare to invade their space.