{"product_id":"peacock-snakehead-channa-barca","title":"Peacock Snakehead Channa Barca","description":"\u003cb\u003ePeacock Snakehead Channa Barca\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCare Level: Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTank Size: 88 Gal (400 Ltr) min\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperament: Aggressive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePH: 6 - 8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature: 22-28°C (72-82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlow: Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhat We Like About This Fish:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe King of all Snakeheads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStunning Colouration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImpressive, but manageable size\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSnakehead Lovers Dream fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNot 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.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nBarca Fish aren’t the most well-documented species of the aquarium hobby. They’re rarely \u003cb\u003efound in private tank setups\u003c\/b\u003e, 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 \u003cb\u003efish have long and powerful bodies\u003c\/b\u003e, 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAs juveniles, Barca Fish generally tend to \u003cb\u003ego after insects, snails, or plankton as a food source\u003c\/b\u003e. 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOnce 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 \u003cb\u003eeating anything remotely plant-based\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOnce Barcas are sexually mature and have the advantage of their muscular bodies and mighty jaws, they prefer to live in solitude.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAnyone thinking of keeping this species in a private aquarium is advised to ensure it’s a single-species tank. Barca Fish are somewhat \u003cb\u003eaggressive to members of their own kind\u003c\/b\u003e 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.","brand":"Real Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"45cm","offer_id":56907145019767,"sku":"FSHV-03042-45CM","price":3000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"60cm","offer_id":56907145052535,"sku":"FSHV-03042-60CM","price":4000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"30cm","offer_id":56907144986999,"sku":"FSHV-03042-30CM","price":2000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0537\/0386\/8610\/files\/Channa-Barca.png?v=1773848378","url":"https:\/\/realaquatics.co.uk\/products\/peacock-snakehead-channa-barca","provider":"Real Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}