Tips on raising a Red Snakehead

[babypimpin]

hey i just have some questions about this little guy
right now he is about 4.5 inches or so...maybe 5 inches...so hes still quite small...and im feeding him feeders....i was wondering when i can start feeding him beefheart? and what is the easiest way to teach him to eat it? or will he eat it naturally?
as well are there any signs i have to look out for to see if he's healthy or sick or anything likethat?
anyways...any tips on raising this beaty would be great...im a complete newbie...i bought my first tank/fish 2 weeks ago

Thanks!

 

[Aquarius0015]

I know this issue is going to come up as soon as the "experts" chime in, so I might as well ask it for them. How big is your tank? Snakeheads get to be HUGE, I think red snakeheads in particular get to be about three feet long, so a tank of about 100 gallons is not at all unreasonable. This is not exactly the ideal fish for a newbie, but it is possible if you have to space and money. Also, it will limit your choice of tankmates, because snakeheads tend to eat whatever fits into their mouths.

Whatever you do, please do not release this fish into the wild! There was a huge problem in Maryland last year because a LFS owner released some snakeheads into a local pond. Not only did they survive, they bred! This might have been a real environmental issue because snakeheads can survive out of water and sort of "walk" for short distances to other ponds. In the end, the pond had to be completely poisoned and lots of native fish died, too!

 

[ROLLIN]

Originally posted by Aquarius0015
How big is your tank? Snakeheads get to be HUGE, I think red snakeheads in particular get to be about three feet long, so a tank of about 100 gallons is not at all unreasonable.

IMO it is unreasonable, because it would be too small. I wouldnt keep an adult one in a tank less than at *least* 10'x5'x5', I wouldnt even really like to keep one in a tank that size since it would only be about 3 times the fishes' length. This is another fish that just doesnt belong in aquariums.

 

[Aquarius0015]

IMO it is unreasonable, because it would be too small. I wouldnt keep an adult one in a tank less than at *least* 10'x5'x5'

I was just suggesting a really big tank size, I didn't really sit down and calculate or anything. But yeah, I agree that this is not a good pet, it belongs in nature and public aquariums. I do not think I would even patronize a LFS that sold these giant snakeheads, because if they do, they obviously do not care much for the fish's welfare as few would ever be able to care for them.

Babypimpin, we're not criticizing you. As a newbie, you probably made the common mistake of trusting the pet store to properly inform you of your purchase (I know I have many times). However, I hope you saved your receipt, and if you take back your snakehead the forum Gods will gladly help you set-up a new tank.

 

[babypimpin]

ok...
i actually did my research on the snakehead before i actually purchased him. I do know that he needs an extremely large sized tank...but as of now...he's still a tiny guy and the 50 gallon i have him in right now is moooooore than enough for the next couple months...by then i would have had enough time find a much bigger tank....i gonna look into something above 150gallons....I also read that they tend NOT to outgrow their tanks...(however, i've also read some stuff that said they dont)...but either way...im sure 150 gallons will be big enough for him for at least the next year....and if he does start to get too big...i KNOW that i can not release him in the wild...i read up about that article in maryland too...that was nuts...but yeah...if he does get too big...i'd either sell him...or donote him to a fish store that will take it...

anyways..I know these are just some kind tips for a newbie..and i appreciate it...but dont worry...i didnt just buy him not knowing what i was getting into...

but yeah...any tips on the feeding issues? or anything else?
anything is helpful..thanks guys

 

[damion]

Getting to your question. The quicker you wean it from feeders, the better chance you will have it accepting non live food.