Barca snakehead

• Care Level: Moderate
• Tank Size: 88 Gal (400 Ltr) min
• Temperament: Aggressive
• PH: 6 – 8
• Temperature: 22-28°C (72-82°F)
• Flow: Moderate

What We Like About This Fish:

• The King of all Snakeheads
• Stunning Colouration
• Impressive, but manageable size
• Snakehead Lovers Dream fish

Not a lot of people know about the Channa Barca species of Snakeheads. However, the Barca Snakehead, as it’s more commonly known, is a highly-priced and coveted fish among serious aquarists.

The Barca Snakehead is native to the Brahmaputra river in India and Bangladesh. These fish are considered excellent fare by the local cuisine, but internationally, Barcas are coveted for their rarity, looks, and predatory nature. The species is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN red list.

Barca Fish aren’t the most well-documented species of the aquarium hobby. They’re rarely found in private tank setups, and there’s not a lot of research to be found. Nonetheless, one thing is clear regarding the species’ diet: they’re primarily carnivorous. You can find clues as to their diet preference from their morphology. These fish have long and powerful bodies, along with elongated dorsal fins. They’re also particularly known for the flattened shape of their heads and large mouths with rows of potent teeth.

As juveniles, Barca Fish generally tend to go after insects, snails, or plankton as a food source. Aquarists should note that even at such a young age, their teeth are powerful enough to break through the shells of snails to get to the meat inside.

Once these fish achieve adulthood and reach their maximum size, they’re able to take on bigger prey. These include crabs, fish, frogs, birds, shrimp, and even small aquatic animals. Notice how there’s no mention of the Barca Fish eating anything remotely plant-based.

In the wild, it’s not uncommon for these fish to go hunting for prey in groups when juveniles. That’s likely more to do with safety in numbers than being a community fish.

Once Barcas are sexually mature and have the advantage of their muscular bodies and mighty jaws, they prefer to live in solitude.

Anyone thinking of keeping this species in a private aquarium is advised to ensure it’s a single-species tank. Barca Fish are somewhat aggressive to members of their own kind or any other species. Housing them with smaller fish will spell doom for the undersized counterparts, and they’ll eventually end up on the Barca’s menu if the stress of living with this mighty creature doesn’t get them first.