Family : Channidae (Snakeheads)
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Snakehead murrel
Fish Name : Channa striata
Max size : 100.0 cm SL (male/unsexed; Ref. 2686); max. published weight: 3,000 g (Ref. 40637)
Environment : benthopelagic; potamodromous; pH range: 7 - 8; dH range: 20 ; depth range 1 - 10 m
Climate : tropical; 23 - 27°C; 35°N - 18°S
Global Importance : fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.21; tm=1.5; Fec = 324)Distribution : Asia: Pakistan to Thailand and south China. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 38-43; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 23-27. Body sub-cylindrical; head depressed; caudal fin rounded (Ref. 2847). The dorsal surface and sides is dark and mottled with a combination of black and ochre, and white on the belly; a large head reminiscent of a snake's head; deeply-gaping, fully toothed mouth; very large scales (Ref. 44091).
Biology : Inhabits ponds, streams and rivers, preferring stagnant and muddy water of plains (Ref. 41236). Found mainly in swamps, but also occurs in the lowland rivers. More common in relatively deep (1-2 m), still water. Very common in freshwater plains (Ref. 4515, 57235). Occurs in medium to large rivers, brooks, flooded fields and stagnant waters including sluggish flowing canals (Ref. 12975). Survives dry season by burrowing in bottom mud of lakes, canals and swamps as long as skin and air-breathing apparatus remain moist (Ref. 2686) and subsists on the stored fat (Ref. 1479). Feeds on fish, frogs, snakes, insects, earthworms, tadpoles (Ref. 1479) and crustaceans (Ref. 2847). Undertakes lateral migration from the Mekong mainstream, or other permanent water bodies, to flooded areas during the flood season and returns to the permanent water bodies at the onset of the dry season (Ref. 37770). During winter and dry season, its flesh around coelomic cavity is heavily infested by a larval trematode Isoparorchis hypselobargi. Other parasites infecting this fish include Pallisentis ophicephali in the intestine and Neocamallanus ophicepahli in the pyloric caecae (Ref. 1479). Processed into pra-hoc, mam-ruot, and mam-ca-loc (varieties of fish paste) in Kampuchea (Ref.4929). Perhaps the main food fish in Thailand, Indochina and Malaysia (Ref. 2686). Firm white flesh almost bone-free, heavy dark skin good for soup and usually sold separately (Ref. 2686). In Hawaiian waters the largest specimen taken reportedly exceeded 150 cm (Ref. 44091). Very economic important on both cultures and captures throughout southern and southeastern Asia (Ref. 57235)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : potential pest
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Pethiyagoda, R.. 1991. (Ref. 6028)

India country information
Common Names : Banded snakehead, सोरा, मोरूल, விரல் விரால், விரால், പുള്ളി വരാല്, Carrodh, Chotiyan, Dekhu, Dhoali, Dok, Dolla, Haal, Karuppu veral, Kaunan, Koochinamari, Korra matta, Korramenu, Kuchheu, Kuchhu, Mangsha, Morl, Morrul, Pooli-kuchi, Shawl, Sohr, Sola, Soura, Sowl, Sowrah, Striped snakehead, Varal, Viral wrahl, Vraal
Status : native
Salinity : freshwater, brackish
Uses : no uses