Dwarf Snakehead (Channa andrao)
Channa andrao
Min Tank Size
150L
Adult Size
17.8 cm
Lifespan
10 years
About
Native to the Brahmaputra basin in Assam, India, Channa andrao is one of the hobby's most visually striking dwarf snakeheads. Males in particular develop intense blue-green body scales contrasted with bold orange fin edging and a mottled pattern that looks almost painted. Females are plainer but still attractive fish.
Unlike many of its larger cousins that require truly massive setups, andrao stays manageable at around 15 to 18 cm, making a 150 liter aquarium a realistic long-term home. One thing that surprises new keepers is the temperature preference. This species comes from highland streams and tolerates surprisingly cool water, thriving between 15 and 24 degrees Celsius. Keeping it too warm is a common mistake and leads to chronic stress. Soft, slightly acidic to neutral water suits it best, though it adapts reasonably well to moderate hardness.
Diet is carnivore through and through. Live and frozen foods like earthworms, crickets, prawns, and small fish form the bulk of what it'll readily accept. Getting an individual onto prepared foods like carnivore pellets or frozen bloodworm can take patience, and some fish simply never fully convert.
Andrao is an obligate air-breather with a modified suprabranchial organ, meaning it surfaces regularly to gulp air. A tight lid with a small gap for airflow is non-negotiable, both to enable breathing and to stop it launching itself onto the floor.
Coloration, personality, and a manageable size make this one of the most rewarding oddball predators available right now. Browse real aquarium builds featuring this species to see how other hobbyists have aquascaped around its territorial tendencies.
Water Parameters
Temperature
°CpH
GH
dGHKH
dKHSwimming Level
Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Dwarf Snakehead (Channa andrao) together
Best kept alone or as a bonded pair; its predatory nature and territorial aggression make reliable community setups very difficult.
Compatibility
Honestly, the easiest approach is a species-only setup or a bonded pair. If you want tankmates, they need to be large enough not to be eaten and robust enough to handle occasional confrontation. Larger barbs like Denison barbs, medium to large loaches, and robust catfish like Glyptothorax species from similar biotopes can work in a sufficiently sized tank. Avoid anything under about 8 cm, anything slow and finnage-heavy like fancy goldfish or discus, and absolutely no other Channa unless you're attempting a breeding pair. Even then, pairs may turn on each other outside of spawning condition.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The biggest failure mode with andrao is overheating the tank. Many keepers treat it like a tropical fish and push temperatures into the upper 20s, which gradually wears the fish down. Keep it cool. The second major issue is the lid. These fish are explosive jumpers and will find any gap. Beyond that, the main challenge is diet conversion. Starting with live earthworms tends to get the best feeding response, then slowly introducing frozen alternatives. Some individuals plateau and won't fully convert, which means maintaining a supply of live or fresh food long term. Water quality needs to be solid since this species doesn't tolerate neglect well despite its tough appearance.
Behavior & Aggression
Andrao's aggression is primarily territorial and predatory rather than fin-nipping or harassing. It stakes out a defined area of the tank and will challenge or attack fish that enter that zone, especially other snakeheads or similarly shaped fish. Two males together almost always ends badly. Aggression toward tankmates tends to be outright predation of small fish rather than skirmishing. Providing dense planting, caves, and broken sightlines reduces territorial pressure significantly. A well-fed andrao is noticeably calmer, so consistent feeding helps keep aggression at a manageable level.
Things to Know
- Must have airspace between water surface and tight-fitting lid, will jump
- Keep singly or as a bonded pair, conspecifics will fight
- Unusually cold tolerant, avoid keeping too warm (above 24C causes stress)
- Wean off live food slowly, some individuals refuse prepared foods permanently
- Do not house with any fish small enough to fit in its mouth
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