This item
Snakehead Fish
- Long cylindrical body and snake-like head
- Dark mottling with a paler belly
- Dorsal fin extends along much of the back
Seafood
Snakehead Fish
Long cylindrical body and snake-like head; Dark mottling with a paler belly; Dorsal fin extends along much of the back.
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3 identity clues
- Long cylindrical body and snake-like head
- Dark mottling with a paler belly
- Dorsal fin extends along much of the back
Names in other languages
- 繁體中文
- 生魚
- English
- Snakehead Fish
- Bahasa Indonesia
- Ikan gabus
- Tagalog
- Dalag
How to identify it
Check these features together: Long cylindrical body and snake-like head; Dark mottling with a paler belly; Dorsal fin extends along much of the back. Colour alone is not sufficient. For packaged Snakehead Fish, confirm the name, ingredients or intended use on the original label. Ask the vendor about loose food; never taste to identify it.
Common confusion
Compare
Flathead Fish
- Broad flattened head with body tapering rearward
- Mottled brown-grey colour
- Bony head ridges are visible
Compare
Japanese Eel
- Long snake-like body
- Dark back and paler belly
- Smooth body with continuous dorsal, tail and anal fins
How to identify it
Snakehead Fish: Long cylindrical body and snake-like head. For Japanese Eel, look for long snake-like body. Confirm the original name, ingredients or use as well; colour does not make the products interchangeable.
Common Hong Kong household uses
Cook in soup or as thoroughly cooked slices.
Choosing & preparing
Confirm snakehead at the counter; its Hong Kong name does not mean it should be eaten raw. Separate raw and cooked food and utensils; wash hands and clean surfaces after raw handling, and cook thoroughly.
Storage
Refrigerate at 4°C or below in a covered leak-proof container beneath ready-to-eat food; follow the date, freeze when needed and thaw in the refrigerator.
Helper tip
For Snakehead Fish, check long cylindrical body and snake-like head. If uncertain, verify the label or ask the employer before using it.
Useful market phrase
唔該，我想要生魚，請幫我確認名稱同用途。Meaning: I would like Snakehead Fish, please. Help me confirm its name and use.
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