Ocellated Snakehead
Channa pleurophthalma
The Ocellated Snakehead (Channa pleurophthalma) is an aggressive fish that's rewarding to keep. Give it a tank of at least 265 litres (70 US gallons), water held at 75-82°F, and a pH of 6.5-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Asia
- East & Southeast Asia
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Ocellated Snakehead Tank Setup
Treat 265 litres (70 US gallons) as a starting point - big predators need length, strong filtration, and a secure lid. Hold the water at 75-82°F and pH 6.5-7.5, and assume anything small enough to swallow will eventually be eaten. They grow to around 40 cm, so plan the tank size and filtration for a full-grown adult rather than the small juvenile you see in the shop.
What Do Ocellated Snakeheads Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Ocellated Snakehead Tank Mates
Requires a large tank and good filtration. The Ocellated Snakehead is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's predatory, so anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be treated as food rather than a companion. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Ocellated Snakeheads Good for Beginners?
Care demand varies by line and setup. Match the care level to how often you actually test and change water.
Ocellated Snakehead - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Ocellated Snakeheads need?
Ocellated Snakeheads need a tank of at least 265 litres (70 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Ocellated Snakeheads need?
Keep them at 75-82°F with a pH of 6.5-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Ocellated Snakeheads eat?
Ocellated Snakeheads are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Ocellated Snakeheads good for beginners?
It depends on the setup. Match Ocellated Snakeheads to how often you actually test water and perform maintenance.
Common mistakes with Ocellated Snakeheads
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 265 litres (70 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Check Ocellated Snakehead against any other fish → Compares water parameters, predation risk, fin nipping and tank size, and draws both at life size.
Fish to avoid mixing with Ocellated Snakeheads
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Zebra DanioFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
- Neon TetraSize risk - Ocellated Snakeheads will likely eat Neon Tetra at adult size
