top of page

​

Murrel (Snakehead) Fish Farming and Seed Production

Introduction

Murrels, commonly known as snakehead fish, are air-breathing freshwater fish naturally found in a wide range of water bodies, including rivers, ponds, reservoirs, and marshy fields. Their elongated, cylindrical body, flattened head, and anteriorly placed eyes give them a distinctive snake-like appearance. The two major species with aquaculture potential in India are Channa striatus (Striped snakehead) and Channa marulius (Giant snakehead). These species exhibit rapid growth, reaching 1 kg in 6-8 months and can thrive in high-density conditions, even in a 40 m² tank.

Murrels primarily feed on small fish, insects, worms, and other aquatic organisms. The flesh of murrels is white, firm, and low in fat, making it a high-protein food source. Additionally, murrel meat is renowned for its medicinal properties, particularly in aiding wound healing, asthma treatment, and post-surgical recovery due to its high arachidonic acid, glycine, and polyunsaturated fatty acid content.

Murrels possess several favorable attributes for aquaculture, including:

  • Hardy nature – Can survive adverse environmental conditions.

  • Air-breathing ability – Enables survival in oxygen-deficient waters.

  • High market value – Fetches premium prices, especially in live fish markets.

  • Cannibalistic tendency – Requires careful size grading during rearing.

  • Suitability for sport fishing – Hooks easily and is a favored catch among anglers.

Habitat and Environmental Tolerance

Murrels exhibit remarkable adaptability to fluctuating environmental conditions. They can survive droughts by aestivating (hibernating) in moist mud for months and can live outside water if kept in a damp environment. Their environmental tolerance includes:

  • Salinity: Up to 12 ppt

  • Temperature: 15°C to 35°C

  • pH range: 4 (acidic) to 9 (alkaline)

  • Dissolved oxygen: Can tolerate low oxygen levels due to air-breathing ability

Despite their resilience, they are sensitive to sudden pH changes and require gradual acclimatization when being transferred to new environments.

Murrel Seed Production

Broodstock Management

The broodstock pond should be prepared using standard aquaculture practices, including de-siltation, bund strengthening, draining, drying, liming, and manuring, similar to major carp farming.

Selection and Stocking of Brooders

  • Brooders are selected and stocked in November-January from wild or farm sources.

  • Stocking density: 1-2 fish per m²

  • The pond should be disinfected before stocking by formalin dip treatment (200 ppm for 40 sec).

  • Feed: Protein-rich diet (5% of body weight) three times daily

    • Animal protein (80%): forage fish, prawn waste, tadpoles, beef liver, silkworm pupae.

    • Plant protein (20%): oil cakes, rice bran, and pulses.

Sex Differentiation

  • Male: Oval head, dark body color, rough pectoral fin, reddish genital papilla.

  • Female: Rounded head, light body color, swollen belly, reddish vent.

  • Mature males release milt, while females release eggs upon gentle pressure on the belly.

Spawning Process

Murrels can breed naturally in captivity or be induced to spawn.

Natural Breeding

  • Spawning ponds: Circular (4m diameter) or square (4x4m) earthen ponds with 1.5m depth.

  • Nesting material: Floating aquatic weeds (water hyacinth) to stimulate spawning.

  • Parental care: Eggs are guarded fiercely by the parents.

Induced Breeding

  • Murrels can be artificially induced to spawn using synthetic hormones like Wova-FH.

  • Dosage:

    • Female: 0.6 ml/kg body weight

    • Male: 0.4 ml/kg body weight

  • Spawning occurs 16-18 hours after injection.

  • Fecundity: 5,000 - 15,000 eggs/kg body weight.

  • Fertilization rate: 80%.

  • Eggs are golden-yellow, spherical, and buoyant.

Incubation and Hatchling Rearing

  • Eggs hatch within 16-20 hours at 28-30°C.

  • Hatching rate: 70-95%.

  • Hatchlings stay with parents for up to 10 days.

  • Initial feed: Moina (small zooplankton).

  • Survival rate at 20 dph: 50%.

Fry Rearing

  • Stocking density: 25-75 fry/m² in cement tanks (2-4m diameter, 75 cm depth).

  • Diet: Aquatic insects, minced fish, prawn, tubifex worms, high-protein artificial feed (42-44%).

  • Grading is necessary to prevent cannibalism.

  • Survival rate at 60 dph: 30%.

Murrel Grow-Out Farming

Pond Farming

  • Ideal pond size: 0.1 ha, 1m depth.

  • Fencing: 90 cm high net or polythene sheet to prevent escape.

  • Stocking density: 2 fingerlings/m² (8 cm size).

Water Quality Requirements

ParameterIdeal Range

Salinity0-5 ppt

pH7.5-8.2

Temperature28-31°C

Feeding Management

Fish Size (g)Protein (%)Feed Size (mm)Daily Feeding Rate (%)

<5450.810

5-20401.28

20-100401.85

100-500362.54

500-1000364.03

>1000326.02

Cage Culture

  • Types of cages:

    • HDPE floating cage (100 m³)

    • GI floating cage (30 m³)

  • Stocking density: 80 fish/m³.

  • Feeding: Floating pelleted feed (36-45% protein).

  • Expected yield: 64-80 kg/m³/crop.

Harvesting & Marketing

  • Growth period: 8-10 months (1-1.5 kg fish).

  • Partial harvesting: Done by seining.

  • Final harvesting: By dewatering the pond.

  • Murrels are sold live for premium prices.

Transportation

  • Short distance: In perforated containers with aquatic plants.

  • Long distance: Oxygen-packed polythene bags.

Conclusion

Murrel farming is highly profitable due to its fast growth, adaptability, and high consumer demand. With proper management, murrels can be successfully cultured in ponds, tanks, and cages, ensuring sustainable fish production and high economic returns.M
 

Source : Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala

bottom of page