Snakehead Murrel: Profile, Food, Nutrition, Farming, Traits, Facts

  / by  Author

The Snakehead Murrel fish, also known simply as Murrel or Snakehead fish, is a freshwater species highly valued in India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar for its culinary and cultural significance. In these regions, farming of Snakehead Murrel holds significant importance, contributing to both local economies and dietary preferences. Additionally, Murrel fish cultivation is practiced in countries like the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand, highlighting its widespread popularity and economic potential across Asia. This article will give an overview of Snakehead Murrel

Snakehead Murrel: Profile, Food, Nutrition, Farming, Traits, Facts

As consumer demand for high-quality seafood continues to rise globally, the Snakehead Murrel fish holds promise as a valuable commodity in the aquaculture industry. Ongoing research and innovation in Murrel farming techniques, coupled with responsible management practices, can enhance productivity and profitability while safeguarding the environment. By capitalizing on the Murrel’s culinary appeal and economic potential, stakeholders in the aquaculture sector can contribute to food security, economic growth, and sustainable development in the regions where it is cultivated.

Taxonomic Classification

Belonging to the family Channidae, the Snakehead Murrel fish is classified taxonomically within the order Perciformes. This family encompasses a diverse group of freshwater fishes known for their predatory nature and distinctive morphological features, including the characteristic snake-like head that gives the Murrel its common name.

Cultural and Culinary Importance

In regions where it is cultivated, the Murrel fish holds cultural significance, featuring prominently in local cuisines and traditional dishes. Its tender flesh and mild flavor make it a popular choice for various culinary preparations, from curries to grilled dishes. Additionally, the Murrel’s nutritional value, rich in protein and essential nutrients, adds to its appeal as a dietary staple in many communities.

Aquaculture Practices

Murrel fish farming involves specialized aquaculture practices tailored to the species’ unique requirements and behaviors. Techniques for breeding, rearing, and feeding Murrel fish have been developed to optimize growth rates and ensure high-quality yields. With proper management and husbandry, Murrel aquaculture can be a lucrative enterprise, providing livelihoods for farmers and meeting the demand for this sought-after fish in domestic and international markets.

Economic and Environmental Considerations

The farming of Snakehead Murrel fish contributes to the socio-economic development of rural communities in Asia, offering employment opportunities and income generation. However, like any aquaculture activity, Murrel farming requires careful management to mitigate potential environmental impacts such as water pollution and habitat degradation. Sustainable aquaculture practices, including proper waste management and habitat conservation, are essential to ensure the long-term viability of Murrel fish farming and the health of aquatic ecosystems.

Therapeutic Claims and Culinary Appeal

While there are claims circulating online regarding the therapeutic benefits of consuming Snakehead Murrel fish, such assertions are not unique to this particular species but are instead shared among many others. Despite these claims, Snakehead Murrel fish are prized for their culinary versatility and are often enjoyed in various dishes across different cultures. One notable advantage of cooking Snakeheads for breakfast is the absence of a strong fishy odor, making them a popular choice for morning meals. Even when cooked, Snakeheads maintain a mild flavor and aroma, enhancing their appeal to discerning palates.

Taxonomic Classification and Common Names

Channa striata, commonly known as the Striped Snakehead or Snakehead Murrel, is a species of snakehead fish native to South and Southeast Asia. This species is also referred to by various names such as the Common Snakehead, Chevron Snakehead, or simply Mudfish. The resemblance of the Murrel to a snake accounts for its colloquial name, which is widely recognized and used in the regions where it is cultivated and consumed.

Cultural and Market Value

Snakehead Murrel fish hold significant cultural and economic importance, particularly in regions like Bangladesh, Myanmar, and various states in India. Highly valued for their eminent nutritional and medicinal properties, Murrels command a premium market price in local markets and are sought after by consumers seeking healthful dietary choices. Their hardy nature and ability to withstand extended periods out of water contribute to their desirability, facilitating specialized trade practices involving live fish transportation and sales in India and other Asian countries.

Respiratory Adaptations and Aquaculture Species

An intriguing feature of Snakehead Murrels is their adaptation for air breathing, facilitated by a suprabranchial accessory respiratory organ located in the head. This unique physiological characteristic enables Murrels to survive in environments with lower dissolved oxygen levels, enhancing their resilience and survival capabilities. In India, the most important aquaculture species of Snakehead Murrel include the Striped Murrel (Channa striata), Great Snakehead Murrel (Channa marulius), and Spotted Snakehead (Channa punctata). Traditional aquaculture techniques are predominantly standardized for the Striped Murrel, reflecting its prominence and commercial significance in the Indian aquaculture industry.

Snakehead Murrel

Growth and Distribution

The Snakehead Murrel, although capable of growing up to a meter in size, rarely reaches such dimensions in the wild due to fishing pressures. Nevertheless, it boasts a wide geographic range spanning southern China, Pakistan, most of India, southern Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and much of Southeast Asia. More recently, introductions have occurred in the outermost regions of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Mauritius.

Despite early 20th-century reports suggesting introductions in Hawaii and Madagascar, subsequent investigations have revealed these to be misidentifications, particularly with C. maculata. Contrary to popular belief, confirmed establishments of C. striata in Hawaii are confined to industrial fish farms, highlighting the need for accurate reporting and verification in scientific and media circles.

Misidentifications and Misunderstandings

Reports from the early to mid-20th century regarding introductions of Snakehead Murrel in California appear to stem from misunderstandings rather than actual occurrences. These instances underscore the importance of rigorous scientific scrutiny and verification in documenting species introductions and distributions.

Despite misconceptions perpetuated by media outlets and agencies like the America Fish and Wildlife Service, it is essential to rely on reliable data and expert assessments to inform our understanding of species distributions and ecological impacts. By addressing misidentifications and misunderstandings, we can ensure accurate reporting and effective management of invasive species.

Dietary Importance and Economic Significance

The Snakehead Murrel holds significant importance as a food fish throughout its native range, contributing to local diets and economies. Adults of this species are characterized by their dark brown coloration, often adorned with faint black bands spanning their bodies. With its widespread availability and favorable culinary attributes, the Murrel commands considerable economic value in regions where it is harvested and traded.

Breeding Behavior and Parental Care

During breeding season, both male and female Snakehead Murrels collaborate in nest-building activities, constructing nests from water vegetation. This cooperative behavior extends to the guarding of eggs, with both parents taking an active role in protecting the developing offspring. After hatching, the fry exhibit a reddish-orange coloration and are diligently guarded by both parents until they reach approximately 5–6 cm in length, at which point they transition to a greenish-brown hue.

Habitat and Behavioral Adaptations

The Snakehead Murrel is commonly found in freshwater plains, where it exhibits migratory behavior, moving from rivers and lakes into flooded fields during the wet season. In the dry season, it retreats to permanent water bodies, where it survives by burrowing into the mud. This species is highly adaptable and displays a diverse diet, preying on a variety of organisms including frogs, water bugs, and smaller fish. During breeding, Murrels become particularly aggressive, attacking anything perceived as a threat to their nests or offspring.

Ecological Role and Predatory Behavior

As a predator, the Snakehead Murrel plays a crucial role in regulating populations of prey species within its ecosystem. Its voracious appetite and opportunistic feeding habits make it a formidable hunter, targeting a wide range of aquatic organisms. During the breeding season, Murrels become especially aggressive, exhibiting territorial behavior and defending their nests vigorously against intruders. This predatory behavior helps maintain ecological balance in freshwater habitats, shaping community dynamics and resource availability for other species.

Pure Breeding Method

In pure spawning, fish seed production is achieved by creating a conducive environment using aquatic weeds. Brood fish weighing between 100 – 250 g are stocked in small shallow ponds during the synchronized spawning season, typically after March. Utilizing aquatic weed, the brood fish construct nests and lay eggs in the shallow water area. The collected eggs are then reared in a hatchery. However, this method typically yields a poor breeding response, averaging about 20 – 30%. Business – Money Making – Marketing – E-commerce

Induced Breeding Technique

Induced breeding occurs twice a year during the southwest and northeast monsoon seasons, primarily in the wet season. A spawning tank with a water depth of 40 – 80 cm is preferred, with aquatic weed (such as water hyacinth) covering approximately one-fifth of the breeding pool to stimulate spawning. The recommended temperature for spawning ranges from 25 to 28 degrees Celsius.

The administration of hormones such as HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is crucial for inducing spawning. The recommended dosage is around 2000 IU/kg of body weight for females and 1500 IU/kg of body weight for males. However, a more effective alternative is the use of carp pituitary extract, with dosages ranging from 20 – 30 mg/kg for females and 30 – 40 mg/kg for males. The injection is typically administered intramuscularly at the base of the pectoral fin.

During spawning, peculiar behaviors such as chasing are observed, with the process lasting approximately 16 – 18 hours. A single female fish weighing 1 kg can release anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 eggs. These eggs are characterized by their free-floating nature, round shape, non-adhesive properties, and vibrant yellow coloration.

Egg Characteristics and Hatching Process

Fertilized eggs of the Striped Murrel exhibit distinct visual cues, with clear eggs indicating fertilization and opaque ones signifying lack of fertilization. The diameter of fertilized eggs typically ranges from 1.2 – 1.5 mm. These eggs are meticulously collected using plankton nets and transferred to Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) containers for hatching. The hatching period spans approximately 20 – 24 hours, culminating in the emergence of larvae.

Fertilization and Hatch Rates

The Striped Murrel demonstrates impressive rates of fertilization and hatching, with fertilization rates ranging from 80 – 98% and hatchling rates averaging between 70 – 90%. Newly hatched larvae exhibit dimensions varying from 3.0 – 3.5 mm. Notably, the use of carp pituitary extract yields superior results in terms of fertilization and hatch rates compared to Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). Fish and Fishing accessories

Immune System and Disease Resistance

The global inland fish culture industry faces significant economic challenges due to the prevalence of diseases such as Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) and various fish-based pathogens. Infections from pathogens including bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas sobria), fungi (Aphanomyces invadans), and viruses pose threats to Striped Murrel populations, leading to stunted growth and high mortality rates.

To combat these infections, Channa striatus relies on its innate immune components. Several immune molecules have been characterized in Striped Murrel, including Chemokine, Chemokine receptors, Thioredoxin, Superoxide dismutase, Serine Protease, Cathepsin, and Lectin. These immune factors play critical roles in defending against pathogenic invaders, highlighting the species’ adaptive mechanisms for disease resistance and survival in challenging aquatic environments.

Other Recommended Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *