Ornate snakehead

Channa ornatipinnis

Golden lips, bold cheek spots and fine pale pectoral bands

Golden-orange lips, a red rear opercular rim and conspicuous dark cheek and body spots. Blue-grey and reddish scales accompany thin pale semicircular bands across dark pectoral fins and blotches at the front of the dorsal.

Adult length: Up to 20.5 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)

Natural habitat: Inhabits clear, fast hill streams with forest-shaded banks.

Care is not identical to similar species. Above 20°C it becomes more aggressive, unlike its warm-water relative C. pulchra.

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Appearance and identification

From Waloun Chaung in Myanmar. Compared with C. pulchra it has larger cheek spots and finer pale pectoral bands.

Adult space

Plan cool-water care before choosing temperature and plants. Provide shelter, a secure cover and access to humid air.

Diet and feeding

Confirm that each fish eats and holds condition.

Same-species behaviour

Watch chasing, feeding access and hiding, and be ready to separate fish; cooler water does not make fish tolerate each other.

Compatibility limits

Territorial and aggressive; assess each fish individually. Shrimp and small fish are at risk.

Aquarium environment

Planting must suit cool-water care rather than a heated planted aquarium. Keep breathing and separation access.

Sources

www.aquariumglaser.de ↗ 2026-10-22

www.fishbase.se ↗ 2026-10-25

researcharchive.calacademy.org ↗ 2026-10-22