Morpho-genetic, ecophysiological and nutraceutical dimensions of Channa striata: Implication for sustainable aquaculture and functional food development

The striped snakehead, Channa striata (Bloch 1793) is a freshwater species of ecological, nutritional and economic importance across South and Southeast Asia. This review integrate current understanding of its morphological, genetic, ecophysiological and biochemical traits to identify key adaptive patterns, existing knowledge gaps and future research priorities. Considerable intraspecific variation is evident, shaped by habitat heterogeneity, aquaculture systems, and geographic lineage divergence. Molecular studies reveal substantial genetic diversity and regional structuring, providing insights into phylogeographic differentiation and implications for taxonomy, conservation, and broodstock management Ecophysiological analyses demonstrate C. striata’s exceptional tolerence to hypoxia, variable pH and temperature fluctuation and salinity, reflecting its adaptive plasticity and potential for climate resilient aquaculture. Concurrently, the species exhibits rich biochemical composition, characterized by high quality albumin content, essential fatty acids and bioactive peptides which contribute to both its stress resilience and nutraceutical value. Despite growing research, integrative studies linking morphology, genetics physiology remain limited. This review emphasizes the need for multi-omic approaches, comparative genomic analyses, and selective breeding of genetically characterized broodstock to enhance productivity, adaptability, and nutraceutical potential. Collectively, C. striata represents a model for understanding evolutionary adaptation in tropical fishes and a promising candidate for sustainable, health-oriented aquaculture under changing environmental conditions.