Javanese snakehead
📖 Overview
Obligate air-breathing ; Inhabits slow moving streams and rivers, as well as lakes, ponds and swamps . A common species in forest streams . Often found in areas with plenty of aquatic vegetation, as well as submerged woody plants. Feeds on fishes, prawns, and crabs and slightly less on shrimps. Marketed fresh and often alive .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 37 - 41; Anal soft rays: 25 - 30; Vertebrae: 43 - 48. Patch of scales present on gular portion. Head and body with 2 bold stripes running from the tip of the snout to the middle of the caudal fin, one on the upper and the other on the lower part of the body; with growth the bands gradually break up into several (5-9) black blotches in adults . Belly with oblique bars; 5 scale rows between lateral line and base of anterior dorsal rays .: elongated; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Javanese snakehead is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous . Tropical; 22°C - 26°C
🌿 Ecology
fishes, prawns, and crabs and slightly less on shrimps
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Javanese 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 Javanese snakehead is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Javanese snakehead has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Forest Snakehead · splendid snakehead |
| 🌍KHM | ត្រីកញ្ជនជ័យ |
| 🌍THA | ปลากระจน · ปลากระสง · ปลาช่อนไช |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 10 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Javanese snakehead ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.