Snake heads (anybody hear of them)

[Gibbo]

Some species don't get too large (8-10") whilst others (Channa Micropeltes etc) get up to a metre in length. Funnily enough, despite the 'reputation' of Snakeheads the smaller species are really quite timid creatures that enjoy being kept in a small (3-5) group and need a heavily planted tank for security. They can also be among the most beautifully coloured and marked of fish.... with plenty of character!

Channa Bleheri

Channa Obscura

Channa Orientalis

 

[macpegg]

The snake head that i wud not recommened to anyone is the "Genus Channa",, its a pure devil..

 

[macpegg]

I am thinking of getting a "Channa micropeltes" its in the lfs but, i`m a bt jubious, its gorgeous looking with the black boarded line along its flank, the red lined snake head..

 

[Gibbo]

... and I bet It's only about 6" long at the moment, right? These guys (Micropeltes) get to over a meter in length and need a lot of food and large accomodation... they look cute when younger and still make for a great fish but they will need the same type of care and dedication as a Red Tail Catfish or the like.... and a LOT of food!!

 

[Gibbo]

Of the smaller Channa I mentioned, Channa Obscura I have found out, is more of a loner. If we treat them as, say, Cichlids then if a large enough tank is used then they should be fine.

 

[Smoky]

Its been a while since the snake heads got lose in a pond in Virginia(Where they poisoned them).I work about 20 mins from those ponds.The problem was this bread of the fish got large and was a cold water variety.The ones i seen them catch up there where larger than alot of bass and pickeral ive seen in most lakes in the area.After they poisoned the ponds they got the adults along with a few hundred off spring there was no sign of any other species of fish left in the pond.

 

[cichlid_freak]

I hate to play Devil's advocate here. But, one thing that worries me about snakeheads, is when they are introduced to an area that contains only slow reproducing/growing fish. Did you all forget Madagascar? Snakeheads are a major part of the endangerment of the Madagascar cichlids (except those that are brackish). The introduction of snakeheads may not cause a problem in one body of water or one species of fish, but to another it could be detrimental. I don't agree with beuracracies limiting the importation of fish, but I also don't agree with aquariasts being careless in disposal or keeping for that matter of any fish. I have a pair of bleekeri and hope to breed them, the only reason they are scarce is because of the introduction of snakeheads. But my rant is over now, I can go back to my normal, joyful self.

P.S. sorry if I offended you CM and those who side with him. (Again blame those who made mistakes, not those who are forced to fix the problem)

 

[cichlidmaster]

cichlid_freak,

I appreciate your opinion!! I never become offended when someone states their position. I only become offended when that opinion is deemed the correct one!!

We all have different opinons and this is what makes this board so successful. I do agree with with you on several points you make:

1. It is the hobbyist who causes the beaurocracies to do what the must.

2. Introduction of any non-indigenous species is a time bomb waiting to go off.

3. I also don't agree with them limiting what we can keep!!

A solution to this problem would be some type of licensing program. I know this is pretty generic in it's wording, but a program like this would work.

CM

 

[cichlid_freak]

The licensing program would be a wonderful idea, maybe with tracking/id devices in the fish themselves. That way we know who was at fault. You think so houty-touit in D.C. will go for that. No one has really cared for any natural resource since Rosovelt.

 

[jmann]

I'd always wondered why they weren't in stores anymore. I used to have two. They were two of my favorite fish I ever had.

 

[sheenzorz]

My friend has 3 snakeheads. They're all about a foot long. No idea what kind of snakehead though.

 

[Gibbo]

They are gr8 fish, just a shame they get targeted like they do for all the horrors they are 'supposed' to cause, much like the 'Dangerous Dogs' (Pit Bulldogs/Rottweillers etc) over here several years ago. The responsibility should always lie with the owner (with few exceptions, ie. trespassers/burglars). Likewise, you can't blame a fish for being what it is, in the case of the Snakehead an extremely hardy and efficient Predator. If a person isn't equipped to keep one they shouldn't own one.... that is where we come in with discussions like this. Education isn't the sole answer (you can't force anyone to listen) but it can help.....

 

[juanveldez]

you want to hear another funny story about snake heads I was doing some reading (while I was looking at tuxs for my wedding) and I read a story about how when they poisoned one hot spot for these fish it killed all of the fish except those that it was supposed to

 

[sgtbirch]

Wow thats a pretty cool looking fish. Easy to see where the name came from the one looks like a copperhead or is it a cottonmouth cant remember Anyway makes me wanna breed them to keep the breed alive in the US. But then again the fish stores would heve to make sure that each buyer knew the risks associated. We all know that wont happen