Proximate composition and mineral content of the African snakehead fish Channa obscura

The proximate composition and mineral content of the African snake head, .Channa obscura from the Niger Delta, Nigeria was investigated with a view to provide nutritional data for dietary planning and baseline data for further research. Mean values for proximate composition were: protein 21.02%, fat 4.38%, moisture 67.82%, ash, 2.28%. The P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Zn, and Fe contents of the fish samples was 3113.29mg/g, 237.35mg/100g, 332.12mg/100g, 383.25mg/100g, 455.33mg/l00g 0. 76mg/100g and 5.06mg/l00g respectively. Channa obscura thus constitutes a source of high protein, low in fat and source of P, Fe, K and Mg