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Murrel (Korameenu / Snakehead) farming

Murrel, locally known as korameenu in Telugu, is the common name for striped snakehead (Channa striata) and related Channa species, which are air-breathing freshwater food fish of considerable culinary value in south and east India. Murrel farming has expanded as an alternative to carp polyculture, with Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Telangana the leading producing states.

Key characteristics

  • Scientific name: Channa striata (striped snakehead)
  • Air-breathing: tolerant of low dissolved oxygen, suited to high stocking densities and deep ponds
  • Carnivore: traditionally fed on trash fish; hatchery seed of domesticated lines is now weaned onto pelleted feed
  • Harvest size: 600-700 g under NFDB-recommended grow-out; commonly 900 g to 1 kg under longer cycles

Cultivation

ICAR-CIFA Bhubaneswar has standardised captive breeding and seed-production protocols for striped murrel and disseminates the technology through training and demonstrations. NFDB's pond-culture manual recommends grow-out ponds of 0.1-0.2 ha with water depth 1-1.5 m. Hatchery-produced fingerlings sourced from accredited hatcheries (Fingerling Seed Quality) are stocked after pond preparation under standard earthen-pond engineering (Fish Pond Construction). The domesticated Vietnamese Strain Korameenu is increasingly preferred for its acceptance of pellet diets and lower cannibalism. Predator-exclusion netting (Pond Biosecurity Bird Snake Netting) is essential because murrel ponds attract fish-eating birds and snakes.

Health profile

Murrel are susceptible to bacterial septicaemia (Aeromonas, Edwardsiella), epizootic ulcerative syndrome and parasitic infections. Use of certified disease-free seed, pond drying and liming between cycles, and prompt removal of moribund stock are the main controls. Cannibalism among juveniles is a key cause of loss in non-domesticated lines.

Adoption and use

Murrel commands a strong fresh-fish market premium, particularly in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana where it is consumed as a traditional and medicinal food. Pond development for murrel is eligible under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (Pmmsy).

See also: Vietnamese Strain Korameenu, Fingerling Seed Quality, Fish Pond Construction, Pond Biosecurity Bird Snake Netting, Carp Polyculture Pond.

References

  1. Recent Trends in Murrel Culture in Ponds. NFDB.
  2. Recent Advances in Murrel (Snakehead) Fish Farming in India. Acta Scientific Veterinary Sciences.
  3. Advances in captive breeding and seed rearing of striped murrel. ICAR-CIFA, ScienceDirect.