Fish Profiles
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 1:34 pm
Hey all,
Hope this is not a repetition. Let me start with my all time favourite fish- Channa.
Characteristics: Very shy till it fully adjusts to the aquarium environment. Shows full coloration after about a month, dont lose patience. Slow swimmer, but can be lightning quick when it spots food. It can bite if it mistakes your finger for food.
Diet: Many channa are insectivores in wild, feeding opportunistically on fish, whenever they find. They prey on worms, snails, insects and shrimp in the wild. Live/feeder fish should be the last option you should be considering. Probably the best foods in captivity is frozen shrimp and blood worms. If you can feed it live earth worms, you should.
Tank size etc: Suitably decent tank size, with lots of hiding places is preferred by the fish. It doesn't move much, however, ample swimming space should br provided. Depends on the species, actually. A pair of golden gachua, for example, can be housed in a 2x1x1 tank. They are labyrinth fish, so access to the water surface, and preferrable fresh air about that is must.
Tankmates: this is people's favourite question! Please don't mix Channa with other fish. Species only is preferred. I had a loach in my two feeter and is impossible to catch without taking apart the tank. This is what the channa did to it
They're master predators and strategists. If you really want to mix, please get a fish which doesnt fit in it's mouth. Also, channa doesnt like new water, while selecting tankmates (which i dont recommend) keep this in mind.
Full shot of my channa:
Hope I have't missed out anything. Looking for suggestions and fish proiles from all. Please keep it to really uncommon fish.
Cheers,
Karthik
Hope this is not a repetition. Let me start with my all time favourite fish- Channa.
Characteristics: Very shy till it fully adjusts to the aquarium environment. Shows full coloration after about a month, dont lose patience. Slow swimmer, but can be lightning quick when it spots food. It can bite if it mistakes your finger for food.
Diet: Many channa are insectivores in wild, feeding opportunistically on fish, whenever they find. They prey on worms, snails, insects and shrimp in the wild. Live/feeder fish should be the last option you should be considering. Probably the best foods in captivity is frozen shrimp and blood worms. If you can feed it live earth worms, you should.
Tank size etc: Suitably decent tank size, with lots of hiding places is preferred by the fish. It doesn't move much, however, ample swimming space should br provided. Depends on the species, actually. A pair of golden gachua, for example, can be housed in a 2x1x1 tank. They are labyrinth fish, so access to the water surface, and preferrable fresh air about that is must.
Tankmates: this is people's favourite question! Please don't mix Channa with other fish. Species only is preferred. I had a loach in my two feeter and is impossible to catch without taking apart the tank. This is what the channa did to it
They're master predators and strategists. If you really want to mix, please get a fish which doesnt fit in it's mouth. Also, channa doesnt like new water, while selecting tankmates (which i dont recommend) keep this in mind.
Full shot of my channa:
Hope I have't missed out anything. Looking for suggestions and fish proiles from all. Please keep it to really uncommon fish.
Cheers,
Karthik