Preparing for channa (aurantimaculata or pleurophtalma)

[Joao M]

Hello,

I am going to dedicate one of my tanks to channas. The tank in question is 200x50x60 cms (80x20x24"), so 600 liters, currently filtered by a Fluval FX5 and a Eheim 2550.
In more than 30 years of fishkeeping I never had channas, so consider me a noob in the species, although an interested one that has been studying the issue for a while.

One of the reasons for not keeping channas in the past is because in my country the only ones that usually come by are either th dwarf or the giant species.
But recently one of the LFS I usually go to, informed me he is able to get two of the middle sized species I like the most: aurantimaculata (Option 1) and pleurophtalma (option2).

However, I will only be able to know which are available - and therefore to choose between the 2 options - in the begging of September and I want to prepare things in advance.

So, I´ve got a few questions before ordering the fish (that would not be here before late September anyway):

1. As regards setting up the tank:

a) Appart from the temperature (I know auranti is sub-tropical and pleuro is tropical) are there are major differences in setting up the tank? Do auranti need a much denser vegetation and pleuro more open swimming areas?
b) As mentioned above, the tank is now filtered by a fluval FX5 and a Eheim 2250. Is the flow of the FX5 excessive for either of the species? More acceptable to pleuros than auranti?


2.As regards number of fish
My idea would be to have a couple - preferebly - or a single auranti (option1 ) and a "pack" of pleuro (option 2).

Option 1: I know it is very difficult to get a couple and you have to start with a group of 5 or so. IF I am not able to get the group (money or availability issues) and I only take 1, should I nevertheless dedicate the entire tank to it? I have read that auranti are very aggressive towards their own species but tend to tolerate other (big) species.

Option 2: My idea would be to get a pack of 5 pleuro. Is it too much for the tank?

3. As regards growing them out
Most likely the fish will arive at 10-15 cms (4-5"). Should I grow them out in a smaller tank before putting them in their final one?

Well, that´s it for the timebeing. Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for your input
João

 

[-DC-]

Hi,

Sounds like you've done your research..

To answer your questions tank size is sufficient for a solo auranti, pair of auranti or a pack of pleuro's.

You've got the right idea Pleuros do need more open swimming areas. While auranti will enjoy a densely planted tank with lot's of driftwood and a fairly deep substrate. A large part of Auranti behavior is bulldozing and building caves i Highly recommend giving lot's of substrate and wood for them to work with.

As for pairing Auranti, Yes it's hard, You'll need to stat with several fry, grow them out until a pair starts to form, When a pair starts to form they will kill off the others, then you have to hope that they stop there and don't turn on each other. After the pair forms they can be very peaceful, however fights can break out especially in breeding season and quite often even with the pair one kills the other in a fight. Not saying don't try, but be ready for a solo tank.

As for grow out tank, I would start them in the main tank they will hide from site at first either way but Snakeheads don't like being moved from one tank to another. IF they come in large enough to not get sucked into your filter put them in the main tank. IF they are too small I'd just stick a huge sponge over the intake and still start them in the big tank. Snakeheads grow VERY quickly with that water volume and a good diet both species will hit 10-12" in a few months so no real benefit to starting with small tank.

 

[Joao M]

Thanks DC!

Your magnificient auranti are one the reasons i am so interested in them

Could you also give me your thoughts on the flow? Should I take out the fx5 and keep only the eheim? Or will that also depend on the species I end up with?

 

[-DC-]

I wouldnt remove any filter, can never have too much filteration. Amount of flow would depend on species. Pleuro's would likely benefit from a bit more flow, while my auranti alway seem happy with less flow,but it does help to have some flow across the bottom to help keep the substrate clean , it also helps with plant growth.

If you find it's too much then just aim the flow to bounce it off a wall, or upward into a corner.

 

[Joao M]

Ok, thanks again

 

[-DC-]

Any time!, I've got Auranti now, Hoping to get 7-9 pleuro this fall when they come into season.

Good luck with your search!

 

[Joao M]

I already got some plants (including a huge beautiful echinodorus( and will get more this weekend.
After that I´ll post a pic with the work in progress

 

[-DC-]

Might want to wait on getting too many plants until you pick a species.

Pleuro tank wont be so bad most plants can be worked into it but with aurnti you need to make sure when choosing plants that they do well in VERY low light , and colder temps. VERY low light because ideally you'll have a thick mat of floating cover. Without the cover they are more timid and prone to jumping/climbing out of a tank (yes they climb, like a snake or eel up a wall & very good at it too!)

I look forward to seeing some pic's!

 

[Joao M]

Thanks again for the inpu, DC! You are being extremely helpful.

The plants I am getting this weekend are coming from a pond so resistant to colder temps. The echinodorus, anubias and java fern and moss I already have are also easily adaptable I believe (a bit more difficult with the echino but doable)

As you mention, I will have both options opened for a while so the tank will be planted but not heavily planted and the plants I have so far are not very light demanding.

Anyway I am also setting up a 250g for some primitives (gars, Ck and bichirs) so if I end up with aurantis and the plants are not suitable for their tank I can always move them to the other one.My others tanks inhabitants would love the plants... but in a destructive way.

 

[-DC-]

Glad i could help, I'll take any chance i can to chat about snake heads ! And ya all those plants should work well either way.

I've also got a 240 primitive , Had Gar but my RTG killed them off when they were around 14". Now it's just a few bichirs , Arowana and indo Dat with a Fly River turtle.