The aim of this study was to determine morphological characteristics, physico-chemical composition and rigor mortis changes of snakehead fish (Channa striata) cultivated in the Mekong delta. Subject of the study was snakehead fish (Channa striata) in four typical ecological zones: brackish water (Tra Cu district, Tra Vinh province), alum water (Tam Nong district, Dong Thap province), fish in river (Tra On, Vinh Long), fish farming in ponds (Chau Thanh A, Hau Giang) with the average weight changed from 250 g to larger 1200 g. The results showed that the morphological characteristics of snakehead fish group were not significantly different between ecological zones. However, length and weight can be used to assess fish maturity. The correlations between fish’s length and weight identified using Berverton–Holt (1957) equation was W=0.0188*L^2.8133 (R² = 0.9772). The proportion of meat, head, bones, fins, scales and viscera varied related to fish weight and culture area. The mature period of snakehead fish was identified when the mean weight of fish reached 500 ÷ 800 g. Snakehead fish cultivated in Tra Vinh province had a low recovery rate with the best chemical composition (high protein and low lipid content) and physical attributes (water holding capacity, texture characteristic of muscle). Rigor started 20 hours after death and reached full rigor state in 29 hours in fish kept on 0÷2°C. When fish was soaked in 12% NaCl solution at 0÷2°C, rigor mortis was set in 25 hours after death and peaked (extended) at 39 hours.