Analysis of the Current State of Snakehead Farming and Interpretation of Its Future Development Prospects
People customarily refer to fish of the family Channidae collectively as snakehead, blackfish, caiyu, shengyu, and so on. The snakehead (Channa argus) is the most widely distributed and highest-yielding species among the Channidae. As market demand grows, the snakehead may become one of the most promising aquaculture species in China in the early 21st century.
China has a total of 7 species of Channidae, namely the snakehead (Channa argus), the spotted snakehead (Channa maculata), the dwarf snakehead (Channa asiatica), the broad-headed snakehead (Channa gachua), the striated snakehead (Channa striata), the slender snakehead (Channa limbata) and the elongated snakehead (Channa elongata). Among them, only the snakehead is a widespread species, distributed across all the major river systems of the country and also the highest in yield; the spotted snakehead, the dwarf snakehead and the broad-headed snakehead are distributed only in South China, including Taiwan, China and Hainan Province; while the striated snakehead, the slender snakehead and the elongated snakehead are rather rare, with very narrow distribution ranges, found only in the Nujiang and Lancangjiang river systems of Yunnan Province, and are of little economic value. People are accustomed to calling Channidae fish collectively snakehead, blackfish, caiyu, shengyu, wubang, and there are also local names such as banyu, xiaoyu, snakehead fish and wenyu.
The snakehead has extremely strong vitality and adaptability to the environment. Whether in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, streams, ponds and weirs, or even paddy fields and canals, and even in swamps, pools and depressions where ordinary fish find it hard to survive, it can grow and reproduce. Its growth rate is also relatively fast, meeting the production requirement of "fingerlings in the first year, market-size fish in the second year." The snakehead has a high meat yield and no fine intermuscular bones, making it one of the fish products suitable for all ages. According to measurements, every 100 grams of fresh fish meat contains 19.8 grams of protein, 1.4 grams of fat and 1.2 grams of carbohydrate, making it a typical high-protein, low-fat health food. According to medical records, the snakehead also has pharmacological effects such as removing blood stasis and invigorating blood circulation, nourishing and strengthening yang, firming muscles and promoting body fluid production, and dispelling cold and conditioning the body. In Southeast Asia and in China's Guangdong and Guangxi, and in Hong Kong, China, Macao, China and Taiwan, China, it has always been regarded as both a delicacy and a tonic, and therefore commands a remarkable price. In addition, unlike other fish, the snakehead does not die easily after leaving the water, and its body does not easily rot or deteriorate after death, so it is more convenient for long-distance transport and processing.
China was once a country rich in snakehead. Over the past 30 years, for various reasons, the natural resources of the snakehead have declined drastically, and the snakehead has become a rarity among aquatic products. The snakehead seen in markets is partly produced by fishermen collecting wild snakehead fry and fingerlings and stocking them in home fish ponds for mixed culture, and partly wild fish caught from various water bodies. Because quantities are limited, prices in various places have consistently remained at 20 to 40 yuan or more per kilogram. In recent years, in response to the needs of domestic and international trade markets, many regions have carried out scientific research and farming practice in artificial snakehead culture, accumulating much successful experience. In particular, breakthroughs in fry and fingerling breeding technology and artificial compound special feed have laid the foundation for the snakehead farming industry to move toward commercialized and large-scale production. In Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui, a number of snakehead farming specialized villages and towns have successively appeared, and many large-scale farmers have already obtained relatively high economic returns. It can be predicted that the snakehead will be one of the most promising aquaculture species in the early 21st century.
The Economic Value of the Snakehead
As a valuable freshwater fish of relatively high economic value, the snakehead is known as "the treasure among fish." Its nutrition is very rich, and its meat contains a large amount of protein, higher than the protein content of chicken and beef. According to measurements, 100 grams of snakehead meat contains 19.8 grams of protein, 1.4 grams of fat, 1.2 grams of ash, 57 milligrams of calcium, 163 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.5 milligrams of iron and 77.9 grams of water; it contains 383.5 kilojoules of calories. Its protein contains abundant amino acids. The content of umami amino acids accounts for 47.36% of the total amino acids, and the content of essential fatty acids accounts for about 16% of the total fatty acids. Therefore, from a nutritional standpoint, the snakehead is a comprehensive-nutrition, delicious-meat, high-grade health food.
When the snakehead is used for food, it has few bones and a edible rate of 63%. The dwarf snakehead has an edible rate as high as 75.63%. In cooking, snakehead meat is smooth and tender, suitable for stir-fried fish slices, stir-fried fish scales and hot pot; while the spotted snakehead is suitable for simmering and stewing, and the fish soup cooked from it has no fishy smell, a rich aroma and tender fish meat. The "caiyu slices" cooked with snakehead are an even more world-renowned delicious dish.
In terms of medicine, the snakehead has the effects of removing stasis, promoting new tissue growth and nourishing the body. Eating snakehead after surgery or trauma has the effects of promoting muscle growth, replenishing blood, astringing and promoting wound healing. Sickly people, postpartum women and children who regularly eat snakehead benefit their health. In southern China, especially in Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hong Kong, China and Macao, China, the snakehead is generally regarded as an excellent tonic for patients and for the frail among the elderly and young. Guangdong's famous "snakehead and gele soup" has effects such as clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting body fluid and quenching thirst, and drawing out toxins and promoting tissue growth, and is very popular among the general public.
The snakehead has always sold well in overseas markets, and at high prices. It is one of China's important aquatic products for foreign trade export, enjoys great prestige in the international market, and its demand is increasing day by day. In the domestic market, it is also a scarce and high-priced aquatic product.
In the farming of special aquatic product species, the snakehead is increasingly welcomed by farmers. This not only enriches the variety of aquaculture species and expands the use of aquaculture water surfaces and aquatic resources, but is also a path to wealth for both collectives and individuals in increasing economic returns.