What kind of fish is the northern snakehead? A detailed fisheries science explainer
Fisheries science knowledge - the northern snakehead
English name: Northern snakehead
Local common names: black fish, cai fish, snakehead fish
Taxonomic status: Perciformes, Channidae, Channa
Morphological characteristics: the front part of the body is nearly cylindrical, and the rear part is rather laterally compressed. The front part of the top of the head is slightly flat, and the rear part gradually rises, resembling a snake's head. There is an accessory breathing organ on the gills. The body is grayish black, and the belly is grayish white. There are 2 rows of large irregular black markings on the sides of the body. On the top of the head, from the eyes to the posterior margin of the operculum, there are 2 rows of dot-like black spots on each side. The dorsal fin, anal fin, and caudal fin have black markings.
Ecological habits: a ferocious carnivorous fish. From fry to adult fish, it feeds on aquatic animals. It grows quickly, and by age 2 its body weight can reach more than 1 kg. It has strong adaptability to environmental factors such as dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, and salinity.
Geographical distribution: distributed in various water bodies in eastern and southern China, and introduced into Ningxia in the 1970s.
Economic value: a valuable economic fish. In addition to being eaten, it also has medicinal effects.
Local common names: black fish, cai fish, snakehead fish
Taxonomic status: Perciformes, Channidae, Channa
Morphological characteristics: the front part of the body is nearly cylindrical, and the rear part is rather laterally compressed. The front part of the top of the head is slightly flat, and the rear part gradually rises, resembling a snake's head. There is an accessory breathing organ on the gills. The body is grayish black, and the belly is grayish white. There are 2 rows of large irregular black markings on the sides of the body. On the top of the head, from the eyes to the posterior margin of the operculum, there are 2 rows of dot-like black spots on each side. The dorsal fin, anal fin, and caudal fin have black markings.
Ecological habits: a ferocious carnivorous fish. From fry to adult fish, it feeds on aquatic animals. It grows quickly, and by age 2 its body weight can reach more than 1 kg. It has strong adaptability to environmental factors such as dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, and salinity.
Geographical distribution: distributed in various water bodies in eastern and southern China, and introduced into Ningxia in the 1970s.
Economic value: a valuable economic fish. In addition to being eaten, it also has medicinal effects.