Passaro International: Wholesale Snakehead Murrel Supply Overview
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): As a premier Snakehead Murrel (Channa striata) Fish Wholesale Supplier, processor, and exporter based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Passaro International delivers top-tier freshwater Channa striata—locally renowned as Viraal Meen (Tamil), Korra Meenu (Telugu), Viral (Malayalam), and Sol / Murrel (Hindi). Catering to international seafood importers, regional distributors, supermarket chains, and the food service sector, Passaro International supplies premium-grade live, fresh-chilled, and Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) products sourced directly from audited aquaculture facilities and managed inland fisheries across Southern India.
In a hurry? Download our official technical parameters, quality grading, and cold-chain specs for immediate RFQ evaluation.
Download Product Specification Data Sheet (PDF)Operating under full regulatory compliance with the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Export Inspection Council (EIC), Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), and FSSAI (Central Exporter License), Passaro International bridges the gap between high-demand global markets and sustainable Indian freshwater aquaculture. By utilizing advanced cold-chain logistics out of Chennai’s international transport hubs, Passaro guarantees uncompromised freshness, strict antibiotic-free traceability, HACCP compliance, and customized packing formats tailored for GCC, North American, European, and domestic Indian B2B buyers.
Species Deep-Dive & Regional Nomenclature
Taxonomic Profile & Biological Characteristics
The Striped Snakehead (Channa striata), belonging to the family Channidae, is an obligate air-breathing freshwater teleost native to South and Southeast Asia. Characterized by its elongated cylindrical body, broad depressed head resembling a serpent, dark dark-brown to olive-green dorsal coloration, and chevron-patterned lateral stripes, Channa striata is widely recognized as the flagship species of the freshwater aquaculture sector.
Equipped with a suprabranchial organ—an accessory breathing structure located above the gills—Channa striata can absorb atmospheric oxygen. This biological adaptation grants the species extraordinary hardiness, allowing it to survive in low-oxygen aquatic environments and remain alive out of water for extended periods when kept damp. For B2B buyers, this translates to minimal transit mortality and extended shelf-life during live and chilled logistics.
Global & Regional Synonyms (Entity Cross-Mapping)
To navigate global procurement and regional trade channels, B2B buyers search for Channa striata under diverse nomenclature:
| Language / Region | Regional Trade Name | Geographic Market Focus |
| Tamil (Tamil Nadu/Singapore/Sri Lanka) | Viraal Meen / Viral | Chennai, Jaffna, Singapore, Malaysia, GCC |
| Telugu (Andhra Pradesh/Telangana) | Korra Meenu / Korrameenu | Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Vizag, UAE |
| Malayalam (Kerala) | Viral / Varal | Kochi, Trivandrum, Middle East Diaspora |
| Hindi / Punjabi (North India) | Murrel / Sol / Saul | Delhi NCR, Punjab, West Bengal |
| Kannada (Karnataka) | Koorli / Viral | Bengaluru, Mysuru |
| Malay / Indonesian | Ikan Haruan / Gabus | Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore |
| Thai | Pla Chon | Thailand, Southeast Asian Trade |
| International Trade | Striped Snakehead / Murrel | Global Seafood Auctions & B2B Portals |
Commercial Superiority Over Other Freshwater Species – Snakehead Murrel (Channa striata) Fish Wholesale Supplier
Unlike traditional carps (Rohu, Catla) or Pangasius, Channa striata commands a premium price tier due to three culinary attributes:
- White, Firm Flesh: Dense muscle structure that retains integrity across frying, currying, and baking without flaking prematurely.
- Low Pin-Bone Structure: Minimal intramuscular bones, making it exceptionally suited for boneless fillet conversion and high-end food service.
- Mild, Sweet Flavor Profile: Devoid of the muddy off-flavors typical of bottom-dwelling pond fish when raised under controlled aquaculture parameters.
Nutritional Profile, Biochemical Composition & Medicinal Value
Biochemical Composition per 100g Raw Muscle Tissue- Snakehead Murrel (Channa striata) Fish Wholesale Supplier
The nutritional density of Channa striata positions it not only as a culinary delicacy but also as a high-value nutraceutical raw material.
| Nutritional Parameter | Value per 100g | Commercial Significance |
| Crude Protein | $19.5\text{ g} – 22.0\text{ g}$ | High-density essential amino acid donor |
| Total Fat | $1.2\text{ g} – 2.8\text{ g}$ | Ultra-lean white meat profile |
| Caloric Value | $98\text{ kcal} – 110\text{ kcal}$ | Low-calorie, diet-compatible protein |
| Arachidonic Acid (AA) | $8.5\% – 11.2\%$ of total fatty acids | Primary driver of cell proliferation & tissue repair |
| Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) | $4.2\% – 6.0\%$ of total fatty acids | Neuromuscular and cardiovascular support |
| Glycine & Alanine | High Concentration | Precursors for collagen synthesis and sweet taste |
| Zinc & Iron | $1.8\text{ mg} / 1.4\text{ mg}$ | Enzymatic recovery and hemoglobin building |
Medicinal Demand & Post-Surgical Healing Mechanisms- Snakehead Murrel (Channa striata) Fish Wholesale Supplier
For centuries, Channa striata has held a unique position in traditional Asian medicine. Modern pharmacological research confirms that the fish’s muscle tissue contains high levels of Arachidonic Acid (AA) and essential amino acids (particularly Glycine, Lysine, and Arginine) which act synergistically to accelerate human tissue regeneration.
- Surgical Recovery & Post-Natal Care: Consumed extensively by post-operative patients and mothers recovering from childbirth to accelerate dermal re-epithelialization and reduce internal inflammation.
- Pain Modulation: Bioactive peptides extracted from C. striata flesh exhibit antinociceptive properties, aiding natural pain management.
- Nutraceutical Extraction: Pharmaceutical and health-supplement manufacturers process Channa striata into protein powders, oral capsules, and liquid fish extracts for clinical rehabilitation markets in East Asia.
Passaro International’s Sourcing & Aquaculture Standards
Sustainable Pond Aquaculture Infrastructure – Snakehead Murrel (Channa striata) Fish Wholesale Supplier
Passaro International sources its inventory through a controlled network of contracted aquaculture farms across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Utilizing semi-intensive earthen ponds equipped with mechanical paddlewheel aerators and continuous water quality monitoring systems, Passaro ensures optimal growth conditions.
- Water Quality Parameters: Ponds are maintained at dissolved oxygen (DO) levels above $5.0\text{ mg/L}$, pH range of $7.2 – 8.2$, and zero detectable unionized ammonia ($\text{NH}_3$).
- Stocking Density Control: Stocking rates are kept within $10,000 – 15,000\text{ fingerlings/hectare}$ to mitigate stress, reduce disease transmission, and prevent fin-damage.
Feed Management & Antibiotic-Free Rearing – Snakehead Murrel (Channa striata) Fish Wholesale Supplier
A major bottleneck in Snakehead Murrel farming is their obligate carnivorous nature, which historically led to farm cannibalism and inconsistent grading. Passaro International mitigates this through advanced feed training protocols:
- Extruded Floating Pellets: Fish are trained from the juvenile stage onto high-protein ($40\% – 45\%$) commercial extruded floating feeds, eliminating the reliance on wild trash fish and ensuring uniform growth.
- Zero Antibiotics Policy: Passaro enforces a strict prohibition on banned veterinary chemicals (including Nitrofuran metabolites, Chloramphenicol, Tetracyclines, and Malachite Green). Regular liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) screening guarantees compliance with international safety thresholds.
Stress-Free Harvesting & Purging Protocols – Snakehead Murrel (Channa striata) Fish Wholesale Supplier
To maintain meat texture and prevent lactic acid buildup prior to processing:
- Pond Deprivation: Feeding is ceased 24 to 36 hours before harvest to clear the alimentary canal completely.
- Seine Harvesting at Dawn: Harvesting occurs during cooler morning temperatures ($18^\circ \text{C} – 22^\circ \text{C}$) to minimize thermal stress.
- Depuration / Purging: Live fish are transferred to clean, aerated holding tanks for 12 hours. This purging phase flushes out residual earthy compounds (geosmin), resulting in clean-tasting white flesh.
Processing Formats, Cold-Chain & Global Logistics
Passaro International accommodates diverse international buyer specifications by offering multiple processing formats, temperature regimes, and customized packaging solutions.
Commercial Product Formats (SKUs) – Snakehead Murrel (Channa striata) Fish Wholesale Supplier
| Product Format | Specifications | Primary Target Market |
| Live Whole Fish | Oxygenated water transport; graded by weight ($500\text{g}-800\text{g}$, $800\text{g}-1.2\text{kg}, >1.2\text{kg}$). | Regional Metros, Specialized Ethnic Markets |
| Fresh Chilled Whole Round | Head-on, scale-on, ungutted; packed in gel-ice; $0^\circ \text{C} – 2^\circ \text{C}$. | GCC Air-Freight Importers, Wholesale Auctions |
| Chilled Whole Gutted (GGS) | Head-on, Gutted, Scaled, Gilled; ready for retail processing. | Supermarkets, Food Service Chains |
| IQF Boneless Fillets | Skin-on or Skinless, pin-bone out, individual quick frozen at $-35^\circ \text{C}$. | North American & European Importers |
| Frozen Steaks (Cross-Cut) | Transverse cuts, bone-in, vacuum packed in retail pouches ($500\text{g} / 1\text{kg}$). | Ethnic Supermarket Chains (US/UK/Canada) |
Cold Chain & Export Packaging Engineering – Snakehead Murrel (Channa striata) Fish Wholesale Supplier
- Air Cargo (Chilled Shipments): Utilizing direct air-freight corridors from Chennai International Airport (MAA) to major Middle Eastern transit hubs (Dubai-DXB, Abu Dhabi-AUH, Doha-DOH, Muscat-MCT). Consignments reach destination ports within 12–24 hours of packing.
- Sea Freight (Frozen Shipments): Loaded into 20ft or 40ft High-Cube Reefer Containers maintained at a continuous temperature of $-18^\circ \text{C}$ or lower out of Chennai Port or Kattupalli Port. Containers are equipped with real-time GPS and temperature data loggers.
Export Compliances, Regulatory Framework & Quality Certifications
Exporting marine and freshwater food products from India requires adherence to strict statutory bodies. Passaro International operates with full accreditation across all relevant government and international quality agencies.
Need official technical data for compliance verification?
Download Product Specification Data Sheet (PDF)Mandatory Indian Export Accreditations – Snakehead Murrel (Channa striata) Fish Wholesale Supplier
- Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT): Valid Import Export Code (IEC) authorizing commercial international trade.
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): Central License under the “Exporter” category, ensuring strict adherence to Schedule 4 hygiene standards.
- Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA): Registered exporter status, enabling legal sourcing, catch documentation, and access to trade facilitation schemes.
Export Inspection Council (EIC) & Health Certification – Snakehead Murrel (Channa striata) Fish Wholesale Supplier
Every international consignment shipped by Passaro International is inspected and issued a Certificate of Inspection and Health Certificate by the Export Inspection Agency (EIA). This verifies:
- Absence of pathogenic micro-organisms (Salmonella, Vibrio cholerae, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli).
- Heavy metal levels (Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Arsenic) well below maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by importing nations.
- Zero detectable residues of banned veterinary antibiotics and pharmacologically active substances.
Global Quality Standards & Market-Specific Certifications – Snakehead Murrel (Channa striata) Fish Wholesale Supplier
| Certification Standard | Scope & Compliance Level | Destination Requirement |
| HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) | Systemic biological, chemical, and physical hazard prevention throughout processing. | Mandatory Worldwide |
| ISO 22000:2018 | Complete Food Safety Management System across farm-to-fork supply chain. | Global Standard |
| Halal Certification | Ritual slaughter and handling compliance certified by recognized Islamic bodies. | Mandatory for GCC & Middle East |
| US FDA & USFWS Clearances | Registration of processing facilities and US Fish & Wildlife Service import clearance for processed non-live Channidae. | Mandatory for USA |
| BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) | Multi-cluster certification covering hatchery, farm, feed mill, and processing plant. | Recommended for Tier-1 Western Retailers |
B2B Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) for international wholesale shipments?
Answer: For Air Freight (Chilled / Live) shipments, our standard MOQ starts at 500 kg to 1,000 kg per shipment to optimize freight costs. For Sea Freight (Frozen IQF Fillets / Steaks), the MOQ is 1 x 20-foot FCL (Full Container Load), which holds approximately 10 to 12 metric tons of packed product.
Q2: How does Passaro International handle live transport of Viraal Meen without high mortality?
Answer: Live Channa striata are conditioned in running fresh water for 12 hours prior to packing to empty their digestive tracts. They are packed in insulated containers with oxygen-enriched water at a controlled temperature ($18^\circ \text{C} – 20^\circ \text{C}$) to lower metabolic rates. This method maintains a survival rate exceeding 95% on air routes under 18 hours.
Q3: Are Snakehead Murrel products legally importable into the United States?
Answer: Yes, but strictly in processed, non-live formats. Under the U.S. Lacey Act, live transport or import of live Channidae species is banned. However, frozen boneless fillets, skinless steaks, or gutted frozen fish can be legally imported into the US provided the processing facility is US FDA registered and the shipment cleared by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Passaro International handles all required documentation.
Q4: What are the prevailing wholesale market price trends for Channa striata in India?
Answer: Farm-gate and wholesale prices for premium Channa striata ($>700\text{g}$ piece size) range between ₹400 and ₹700 per kg ($5.00 – 8.50\text{ USD/kg}$) inside India, depending on seasonality, size grading, and live vs. frozen format. Export-grade processed fillets command higher unit pricing based on yield ratios and packaging specifications.
Q5: How do you guarantee that consignments are free from off-flavors (muddy taste)?
Answer: Muddy off-flavor is caused by bioaccumulation of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) produced by cyanobacteria in poorly managed ponds. Passaro International enforces a 12-to-24 hour purge cycle in clean, running deep-well water tanks before processing, ensuring clean flesh quality.
Q6: Can buyers request customized white-label packaging for retail distribution?
Answer: Yes. We provide complete Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and private-label packaging services. We can process, freeze, and package Channa striata fillets or steaks into custom-printed retail pouches ($500\text{g}, 1\text{kg}$) or food-service bulk cartons featuring your brand artwork, barcodes, nutritional panels, and language-specific regulatory labeling.
Ready to request a bulk wholesale quotation?
Download Product Specification Data Sheet (PDF)Partner with Passaro International for Reliable Channa Striata Supply
Whether you require regular air-freight consignments of chilled Viraal Meen for Middle Eastern wholesale markets or frozen Channa striata fillets for supermarket distribution in North America or Europe, Passaro International provides the scale, compliance, and quality control your supply chain demands.
- Corporate Office: Passaro International, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Product Line: Live, Fresh-Chilled & IQF Frozen Channa striata (Snakehead Murrel)
- Certifications: MPEDA, EIA/EIC, FSSAI Central Exporter, HACCP, Halal Certified
Procurement & Inquiry Hub
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