The Snakehead Forum

Scientific Name: Channa diplogramma, Channa diplogramme

Known Common or Trade Names: Unknown
It is important to understand that common names can be applied to many individual species and does not guarantee the correct identification of the fish in question.

Original Description: Described by Day in 1865, was later described as a synonym for Channa micropeltes, some sources still state this.

Distribution: Found in Cochin on the Malabar Coast, India.


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Size: Originally reported to be of similar size to Channa micropeltes 39+” - 100+cm it is now believed to be much smaller, probably reaching between 20”-24” 50cm-60cm possibly smaller. This is an unknown at the moment. The largest in captivity the author is aware of is 24”.

This information is based on a number of considerations most based on comparisons with Channa micropeltes. Firstly it seems to reach adult colouration at a much smaller size 7” – 17cm, micropeltes don’t do this until above 12”- 30cm. It also seems to slow its growth at a smaller size. You also do not see any fishing photographs of large snakeheads caught in the region.

Description: Similar to Channa micropeltes in colouration with spots along the the whole of it’s profile including down to its white underside. Mostly a brown fish with darker markings along its flanks. As it grows it develops a blue colouring to its tail. It has none of the metallic Green/Blue sheen that Channa Micropeltes have as they get larger although it does develop a blue tinge to the tail.

Physically it has relatively long broad body with a small amount of latural compresion with a more extended pointed head. This is more clear in some pictures than others.

Juvenile Description: Very much similar to Channa micropeltes. Strong orange red colouration on the upper and lower parts of the body. Along the midline is a stronger line with a black edge along the top and bottom.



Sexual Differences: Unknown

Water Parameters: This is a tropical snakehead that lives in a variety of environments. Young have been captured in light brackish environments. The waters in the region are very geographically complicated, lot of channels intertwined with each other. Water temp is fairly stable throughout the year 27-28C as a low point in July /August and a high of 32C April/May. The backwaters of the region are slightly alkaline to slightly acidic PH of 7.5 – 6.5 and becomes more salty closer to the coast.

Tanks size: Not a huge snakehead but still a large fish. But based on the reaching 20” a minimum for an adult is going to be 6’ – 180cm x 2’ - 60cm x 2’ – 60cm. Larger would be recommended. The more space they have the more active they become.

Suggested Tanks setup: Best kept at tropical temperatures in the higher twenties. They do come from a structured environment with lots of branches and aquatic plants but as an adult they are fairly open water swimmers and enjoy space to move around. Some structure should be provided but also some open space to move around.

Conspecific aggression: Originally though to be similar to Channa micropeltes i.e. very aggressive. The author has found this not to be the case to the point of it does not seem to hold a territory. This is an unknown though. It may have tendencies to become aggressive when breeding. This species may be similar to Channa pleurophthalma another open water swimmer that separate into calmer waters to spawn and hold a territory. It will however will eat smaller Snakeheads.

Compatibility: It will cohabit with other large fish too large to represent a meal and not to large or territorial to represent a threat i.e. a large Cichlid.
It is always recommended that to get the best in both behaviour and appearance it is best to keep Snakeheads in a species only tank and unless a pair is formed with the majority of species a single fish.

Preferred Diet: Naturally an open water predator, primarily a fish eater. They do eat shrimps and other open water invertebrates. Within captivity will take items as they fall threw the water, fish, prawn, mussel etc. very rarely take items from the floor. They do not seem to go for non swimming live foods i.e. earthworms.

Breeding: Unknown

Availability: Channa diplogramma are relatively rare within the hobby, although not rare in nature they seem to be difficult to get hold of. There are a number of them in Asia and Europe, not as common as some other Snakeheads. There was a single juvenile in the UK available some years ago for £95 and one recent which was supplied by Wildwoods to the author. Expect to pay between £150 and £250 for one now in the UK.

Additional Info: For some time it was thought the Channa diplogramma was an introduction of Channa micropeltes to the region, micropeltes do not exist anywhere else within India. It was only fairly recently confirmed to be a different species. There is quite a bit of unknown information in regards to this species and it’s habits, size and final appearance this adds to the interest of keeping fish like this.

Author. Stephen Cousins(Jelly) SnakeheadsUK.com 2009

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