Current Status of Snakehead Diversity in India:Care and Concerns

Snakeheads, commonly called Murrells, constitute one of the main stay of natural fisheries of India that fetch high price as food fish as well as aquarium fish. Even Murrells are also used in sport fishery and attracted the anglers. As food fish they occupy the top most rank for their flesh quality, less spines, taste, flavour, nutritive value and high protein as well as energy diet. As ornamental fish they are preferred by the hobbyist due to their hardy nature and bright colouration especially in their juvenile stage. Out of the 35 species recorded and reported globally, India represent 14 Channa species, i.e., Channa amphibeus (McClelland, 1845), Channa andrao Britz, 2013, Channa argus argus (Cantor, 1842), Channa argus warpachowskii (L. S. Berg, 1909), Channa aurantimaculatus (Musikasinthorn 2000), Channa barca (Hamilton 1822), Channa bleheri (Vierke 1822), Channa gachua (Hamilton 1822), Channa marulius (Hamilton 1822), Channa melanostigma Geetakumari&Vishwanath, 2011, Channa orientalis Bloch&J. G. Schneider, 1801, Channa punctata (Bloch 1793), Channa stewartii (Playfair 1867) and Channa striata (Bloch 1793) from wide variety of habitats, viz., swamps, lakes, sluggish rivers, mountain torrents and coldwater upland waters with the altitudes ranging from near sea level to above 5000 metres asl. Apart from this, one introduced species Channa diplogramma (F. Day, 1865) has been recorded from Kerala. These above mentioned 14 species are now believed to be under the threatened category. Indiscriminate killing through poisoning, overexploitation of brood and juveniles, destruction of breeding ground, pollution mainly caused by coal mines and ecological imbalances due to the introduction of exotic species might have resulted in the dwindling of Snakehead fishery alarmingly. More over Murrells are also susceptible to dreadful diseases. Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) particularly in colder climate of India causes a great loss in natural fishery.

However, Snakeheads, which are the most promising fishes of India, can be protected and conserved through concerted efforts from all the concerned stakeholders. Ban on the capture of juvenile ornamental fishes by seed collectors for aquarium trade should be enforced strictly. Captive breeding and farming and also ranching in major drainage would probably help in the enhancement of their stock. This would help in the development of sport fishery, ornamental fishery and also the overall fish production of the country.