Blotched snakehead
📖 Overview
Obligate air-breathing ; Adults inhabit silty and weedy bottoms of rivers and ponds or lakes . They feed on crustaceans, large insects, frogs and fishes . Oviparous . Recorded as having been or being farmed in rice fields .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blotched snakehead is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Distinct pairing during breeding in shallow freshwater areas amid plants . Oviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; non-migratory . Tropical
🌿 Ecology
crustaceans, large insects, frogs and fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Blotched 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 Blotched snakehead is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Blotched 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 | Blotched snakehead · Snakehead · snakehead mullet |
| 🇩🇪German | Quergestreifter Schlangenkopf |
| 🇫🇷French | Tête de Serpent Strié |
| 🌍HIN | मोरूल |
| 🌍IND | Ikan Gabus |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Taiwan-dojô · Taiwandojo · タイワンドジョウ |
| 🇰🇷Korean | 얼룩가물치 · 타이완가물치 |
| 🌍LAO | Pa Kaw · Pa Kho |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Cabeça-de-cobra-manchado |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Cabeza de Serpiente Cabrío |
| 🌍THA | ปลาช่อน |
| 🌍VIE | Cá Chuối Hoa |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 南鱧 · 斑鱧 · 雷魚 · 鮕鮘 · 鱧魚 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bostrychus maculatus | Lacepède | 1801 | Synonym |
| Ophicephalus aspilotus | Sauvage & Dabry de Thiersant | 1874 | Synonym |
| Ophicephalus guntheri | Sauvage & Dabry de Thiersant | 1874 | Synonym |
| Ophicephalus jovis | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
| Ophicephalus tadianus | Jordan & Evermann | 1902 | Synonym |
| Ophiocephalus maculatus | Lacepède | 1801 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 17 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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