In our last post, we warned you that Penang’s soft water gives Guppies “The Shimmies.” But for Channa (Snakehead) keepers, that same water is a blessing.
If you are keeping Channa pulchra, Channa limbata, or Channa andrao in Penang, you are playing the game on “Easy Mode.” While hobbyists in KL and Ipoh are fighting to lower their pH, you just have to turn on the tap.
The Science: Why Channa Love Soft Water
Most Channa species come from rainforest streams, peat swamps, or highland pools (like our local Limbata).
- Their Natural Home: Acidic (pH 5.5 – 6.5), Soft (Low GH), and dark with dissolved tannins.
- Penang Tap Water: Neutral to Slightly Acidic (pH 6.5 – 7.0), Soft (Low GH).
It is a perfect match. The lack of calcium (which kills guppies) is exactly what Channa prefer. Soft water keeps their slime coat thick and protects them from skin diseases like “Velvet.”
The “Air Itam” Secret
If you live in Air Itam, Paya Terubong, or near the Botanical Gardens, you have the best Channa water in the country. Your water likely comes from the Air Itam Dam (Hill Water).
- It is naturally cooler.
- It is incredibly soft.
- It is often slightly acidic.
This is why you see wild Channa limbata thriving in the drains near Kek Lok Si. The water there is basically “High-Grade Aquarium Water” for free.
The Secret Weapon: Ketapang Leaves (Indian Almond)
Since our water is already soft, you only need to do one thing to make it perfect: Add Tannins. Penang is full of Ketapang Trees (Sea Almond). You can pick the dried brown leaves off the ground for free at Queensbay or along the coast.
How to “Cook” Your Water:
- Wash the leaf.
- Crumple it and throw it in your tank (or filter).
- Wait. The water will turn a “Teh O” (Tea) color.
Why do this?
- Lowers pH: It pushes our pH 7.0 down to a perfect pH 6.0.
- Anti-Bacterial: The brown water kills bacteria that cause “Fin Rot.”
- Color Popping: Channa colors (especially the Blue on Pulchra and the Orange on Limbata) glow brighter in dark water.
What NOT To Do in Penang
If you are a Channa keeper here, avoid these products:
- Coral Chips: Never put coral in a Channa tank. It raises the pH and hardness (the opposite of what they want).
- Salt (Regularly): Only use salt for sickness. Channa are freshwater fish; they hate salty water.
The Shop Guy’s Take
In Penang, you don’t need “pH Down” chemicals. You don’t need expensive RO water systems. You just need:
- Penang Tap Water.
- Good Anti-Chlorine.
- A free dried leaf.
If you are failing at keeping Guppies because they keep dying, maybe nature is trying to tell you something. Switch to Channa. They are built for this island.
