Ecology Distribution Management Info Impact Info References and Links Contacts

Taxonomic name: Channa marulius (Hamilton, 1822) Synonyms: Channa marulius ara Deraniyagala, Ophicephalus grandinosus Cuvier, Ophicephalus pseudomarulius Gunther, , Ophicephalus sowara Cuvier, Ophiocephalus aurolineatus Day, Ophiocephalus leucopunctatus Sykes, Ophiocephalus theophrasti Valenciennes Common names: ara (Sinhalese-Karnataka), aviri (Andhra Pradesh), aviu (Karnataka), bhor (Bihar), bral (Kerala), bullseye Snakehead (English), chaeru-veraal (Tamil Nadu), cobra snakehead (English), curuva (Kerala), dowlah (Punjab), gajal (West Bengal), gangara (Sinhalese-Sri Lanka), giant Snakehead (English), great snakehead (English), haal (Pakistan), hoovina-murl (Kerala), Indian snakehead (English), iru viral (Tamil-Sri Lanka), kalumaha (Sinhalese-Sri Lanka), kubrah (Bihar), madinji (Karnataka), murrel (English), phoola-chapa (Andhra Pradesh), phool-mural (Andhra Pradesh), pla chon ngu hao (Cambodia), poomeenu (Orissa), pumurl (West Bengal), puveral (Tamil Nadu), saal (Punjab), sal (Assam), sawal (Punjab), soal, trey raws (Sri Lanka) Organism type: fish Channa marulius is an extremely voracious predator and has the potential to disturb functioning native ecosystems. It is native to parts of tropical Africa and Asia, and in recent years, C. marulius has been reported in the eastern U.S. where it was introduced via illegal aquarium release. It is highly valued throughout Asia for its taste, so it is likely spread through the live food trade. Description C. marulius has red eyes and is gold-tinted brown to pale gray in younger fish while older fish are generally dark brown with large black blotches. The most distinctive marking is the black spot rimmed with orange near the base of the tail fin, known as an eyespot or ocellus. Maximum recorded total length is 183cm (male/unsexed), and maximum recorded weight is 30.0kg (Fuller, 2003). Similar Species Channa spp., Amia calva More Occurs in: lakes, water courses, wetlands Habitat description C. marulius occurs in sluggish or standing water in rivers, canals, lakes, and swamps. It tends to inhabit waters with submerged aquatic vegetation and is usually found only in deep pools in rivers and occasionally in lakes. It also enters flooded forests. The ideal temperature for C. marulius is in the tropical range of approximately 24 - 28°C (Pethiyagoda, 1991). General impacts C. marulius has the potential to disturb functioning natural ecosystems. C. marulius is an extremely voracious predator with an ability to move over land for short distances. As a top-level predator it can quickly impact local fish populations through predation or displacement. With its sharp teeth and powerful jaws, C. marulius is capable of immobilising large prey, such as small carp (Cyprinidae). Prey are often bitten in half on the strike. They rarely chase down their prey, preferring to attack from ambush with great accuracy and acceleration. This species is cannibalistic as small snakeheads often become prey for larger specimens (AFA, 2003). Uses According to Helias (2002), C. marulius is highly valued throughout Asia for its food value and taste. Geographical range Native range: According to Agbayani (2002), C. marulius is native to Asia from India to China, south to Thailand, Cambodia, and Pakistan. Known introduced range: It has been introduced into the wild in two locations in the United States (Fuller, 2003). Introduction pathways to new locations Live food trade: It is highly valued throughout Asia for its taste, so it is likely spread through the live food trade (Helias, 2002). Pet/aquarium trade: According to Fuller (2003), Channa marulius was found in Maryland due to probable aquarium release. Local dispersal methods Other (local): Channa marulius has the ability to move over land for short distances (Helias, 2002). Management information According to Hoffman (2002), the ability to eradicate or control snakehead populations depends on where they are found. If established in large lakes or river systems, eradication and/or control are expected to be nearly impossible. Control in smaller water bodies depends upon the amount of vegetation, the accessibility to the water body, and the effectiveness of the control methods. Chemical: Piscicides work by preventing fish from removing oxygen from the water. Chemical control using rotenone and similar toxins would likely be ineffective to air breathing snakeheads and damaging to nontarget organisms except in closed situations. Physical: Electrofishing and netting may provide some level of control of snakehead populations; however, eradication using these methods would be too selective for [larger] size classes to remove a population of snakeheads. Nutrition Fuller (2003) indicates that the diets of adults are mostly made up of small fish, and some prey may be as large as one-third of its body length. In addition to fish, the northern snakehead has been known to eat frogs, crustaceans, and insect larvae. Other food items include snakes and earthworms (Pethiyagoda, 1991). Reproduction According to Agbayani (2002), C. marulius builds floating nests of weeds and leaves where orange-yellow eggs are deposited. Lifecycle stages According to Agbayani (2002), C. marulius eggs hatch in 36 to 48 hours, and the fry remain in the nest for about 10 days after hatching. Parents guard the fry for about a month. Reviewed by: Anon Principal sources: Fuller, 2003 Nonindigenous Aquatic Species: Channa marulius Compiled by: National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) To contribute information, please contact Shyama Pagad. Last Modified: Monday, 24 January 2005