The Golden cobra Snakehead is known from the Brahmaputra River basin in Assam. Here it occurs in a wide variety of different habitats, most of them still water.
As a large species, their aquarium should be extremely spacious with a sandy substrate, plenty of hiding places amongst driftwood, rocky caves, and areas of dense planting. Provide an abundance of surface cover in the form of floating plant species to help diffuse the light. Filtration should be efficient with areas of moderate water movement and quieter resting areas out of the current, and frequent partial water changes are important during the warmer months to help keep nitrate to a minimum. It is essential that the aquarium has a tight fitting lid as these fishes are expert jumpers, and a small gap must be left between the surface of the water and the coverslides in order for the fish to come up and take in humid air. Using a tall aquarium with a low water level planted in a paludarium style, greatly reduces the likelihood of jumping, as well as providing plenty of surface cover and natural control of dissolved wastes. Snakeheads are obligate air breathers, which means they must have access to atmospheric air or they will drown.
This is a territorially aggressive species that is best maintained singly once they are past the juvenile stage, or as a compatible male-female pair ideally self-selected from a group put together during the cooler months. As females are the more aggressive sex, larger males combined with smaller females are the best combination in the longterm. Make sure any rejected fish are promptly removed to avoid injury. These fish are best maintained in a species-only aquarium but if tankmates are desired, they must be able to tolerate the seasonally low winter temperatures required as this species needs a seasonal change in temperature and maintenance to emulate the wet and dry months. During the winter period that coincides with the dry season, the fishes' metabolism will slow down and they will not show much interest in food. The water level can be dropped, the day length should be shortened and the reduction in waste levels means that water changes can be dramatically reduced. Successful set ups really do echo the swamps that these fish call home. These annual rest periods seem to be imperative for long-term health, vitality, and breeding potential.
May also be seen labelled as Orangespotted snakehead.
Feeding
To ensure nutritional deficiencies are avoided, a quality dried food should be used as a staple and overfeeding should be avoided. Live or frozen foods are eagerly accepted and live invertebrates are usually a firm favourite such as appropriately-sized earthworms, crickets, cockroaches and mealworms - these can be boosted by gutloading prior to being offered.
Breeding
Aurantimaculata are monogamous spawners and have been bred in the home aquarium. The fish come together in an embrace similar to that of many anabantids. The eggs are brooded by the male for up to 10 days, while the female guards the territory. Both parents defend and tend to the fry, with the female feeding her young with infertile eggs for a few weeks, after which the fry will start taking a variety of foods.
