Paternal mouthbrooder: the male broods the eggs and fry in his mouth. Bred regularly in captivity; females of some populations lay infertile eggs to feed the free-swimming fry. Do not mix populations.
A male and a female in a quiet tank.
150 L tank with caves, wood and dim lighting.
Warm temperatures and live food.
About 20-200 eggs per spawning in Indonesian and Malaysian fish, brooded by the male (Indian reports describe batches of 200-300 released at a time). Brooding time not found.
Fry take baby brine shrimp and microworms.
One breeding tank for the dwarf snakehead, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 18–28 °C · pH 6–8
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 20 cm. Tank shape is a standard 2 : 1 : 1.2 box, at least 6 adult lengths long. Check each step in the guide above.
A 130 cm rack for breeding the dwarf snakehead in numbers.
In total: 3 tanks, about 750 L of water. A litre of water weighs about 1 kg, so check that the floor and rack can take the weight.
Sizes are worked out from the breeding tank in the guide. Tanks fit a standard 120 cm rack when they can; bigger tanks go on their own stands.
Males usually develop longer dorsal and anal fins and sometimes stronger colour; females grow larger and deeper-bodied, especially when full of eggs.
Typical for mouthbrooders
Usually one male with several females. Feed high-quality food.
The female takes the eggs into her mouth and stops eating.
After about 3 weeks the female releases fully formed fry. Many breeders move her to a quiet tank first.
Fry eat crushed flake and baby brine shrimp straight away.
Fry are a few centimetres long after about 3 months.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Usually one male with several females. Feed high-quality food.
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.