Alginate-calcium film that contains cinnamon oil and nisin was used as an antimicrobial packaging to maintain the freshness of northern snakehead at refrigeration temperature (4±1)℃. Northern snakehead fillets were treated with alginate film (C0), and alginate film contained cinnamon oil (C1), alginate film containing Nisin (C2), or alginate film containing cinnamon oil and Nisin (C3). Northern snakehead fillets without any treatment were used as a control(CK). C1 and C3 more efficiently inhibited the growth of total viable mesophilic bacteria, total psychrotrophs bacteria and Pseudomonas spp. than CK, C0 and C2 treatments. C1 and C3 treatments significantly reduced chemical spoilage, reflected in low pH value, total volatile base nitrogen content and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and retarded color changes. However, there was no significant difference between the C1 and C3 treatments. Thus, alginate-calcium film containing cinnamon or cinnamon and Nisin efficiently maintained the quality of northern snakehead fillets during storage. 