Burmese snakehead
📖 Overview
Obligate air-breathing ; Maximum length recorded is 19.4 cm SL . abundant in ditches, ponds and hill streams of the sampled locations. The holotype was collected from clear, slow flowing water with cobble substrate without much aquatic vegetation .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 34 - 38; Anal soft rays: 23 - 26; Vertebrae: 42 - 45. Dorsum black to purplish-black, posterior part below lateral lines sometimes with black oblique streaks on dark grey background; ventrum dirty white to grey, with scattered darker grey spots; throat with bluish spots and blotches on dark-grey background, appearing marbled.. Head distinctly flatter and less convex (postorbital depth 30.9-35% HL); head length 33.2-34% SL; head width 16.9-19% SL; pelvic fins 2.3-3% of inter-pelvic fin distance .: elongated; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Burmese snakehead is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Burmese snakehead is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Burmese snakehead is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Burmese snakehead is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Burmese snakehead is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Burmese snakehead has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Burmese Snakehead · Harcourt Butler's Snakehead · Inle Lake Snakehead · Inle snakehead |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 哈氏鱧 · 茵列鱧 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channa royi | Praveenraj & Knight | 2018 | Synonym |
| Ophiocephalus harcourtbutleri | Annandale | 1918 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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