Ikan Haruan

A. Taxonomical info

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Channidae

Genus: Channa Scopli

Species: Channa striata

B. Morphological / distribution/habitat info

Morphology

Common snakehead (Channa striata) can grow up to 90 cm in length and weigh up to 3 kg. The adult common snakehead can be distinguished by its relatively plain color pattern. The common snakehead features dark diagonal stripes on its dorsal surface, an abrupt transition between its dorsal and ventral color patterns, and a white margin on the anal fin only. Meanwhile, the juvenile has a single broad orange longitudinal side along each flank and no black stripes. Common snakehead juveniles > 40 mm in length have a dark, rounded spot near the rear lobe of the dorsal fin.

Distribution

The common snakehead has a wide natural distribution ranging from tropical Southern Asia to most of Southeast Asia, including Singapore. In the Philippines, Sulawesi, and Papua, the common snakehead has been established as an alien species and introduced as a food fish.

Habitat info

The common snakehead is widespread throughout lowland regions. This species is highly adaptable and can be found over a relatively wide range of temperatures and pH. The common snakehead can also be found in artificial habitats such as ponds, canals, padi fields.

C. Traditional Uses / TK-related info

Culinary

The common snakehead is a favored food fish in much of Southeast Asia. The flesh of the common snakehead is said to have healing properties and can help in post-surgical recovery. This is because snakehead extract contains high levels of essential amino acids and a good prole of fatty acids that could directly improve tissue growth and wound healing.

D. Any related scientific studies, such as ecology/conservation status/threats / diversity

Conservation status

The common snakehead is listed as Least Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list. There are no known major threats to this species. This is because the demand is increasingly met by captive bred.