Emperor snakehead
Channa marulioides
- Tank length
- 240 cmabout 8 ft (94 in)
- Start with
- 1
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C72–82 °F
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Adult size
- 45 cm18 in
- Lifespan
- 10–15 yrs
A large, powerful predator that must be kept alone in a very large tank with a heavy lid.A large, powerful predator that must be kept alone in a very large tank with a heavy lid.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- Acei cichlid
No shared pH rangeNo shared pH range
- African butterfly cichlid
Emperor snakehead may eat African butterfly cichlidEmperor snakehead may eat African butterfly cichlid
- African clawed frog
Emperor snakehead may eat African clawed frogEmperor snakehead may eat African clawed frog
- Agassiz's cory
Emperor snakehead may eat Agassiz's coryEmperor snakehead may eat Agassiz's cory
- Ajamaru rainbowfish
Emperor snakehead may eat Ajamaru rainbowfishEmperor snakehead may eat Ajamaru rainbowfish
Amano shrimpEmperor snakehead may eat Amano shrimpEmperor snakehead may eat Amano shrimp
- American flagfish
Emperor snakehead may eat American flagfishEmperor snakehead may eat American flagfish
- Angfa rainbowfish
Emperor snakehead may eat Angfa rainbowfishEmperor snakehead may eat Angfa rainbowfish
- Arfak rainbowfish
Emperor snakehead may eat Arfak rainbowfishEmperor snakehead may eat Arfak rainbowfish
Assassin snailEmperor snakehead may eat Assassin snailEmperor snakehead may eat Assassin snail
- Banded gourami
Emperor snakehead may eat Banded gouramiEmperor snakehead may eat Banded gourami
- Bandit cory
Emperor snakehead may eat Bandit coryEmperor snakehead may eat Bandit cory
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 22–28 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6–7.5 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–15 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | advanced | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | middle | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | predatory | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | carnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 10–15 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 30 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum tank length | 240 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |