Fish Names in Pakistan: English, Urdu and Scientific Names of 48 Seafood Products
Quick answer: Common fish names in Pakistan include Surmai (سرمئی, Seerfish), White Paplet (سفید پاپلیٹ, Silver Pomfret), Kala Paplet (کالا پاپلیٹ, Black Pomfret), Bangra (بانگڑا, Indian Mackerel), Rawas (رواس, Fourfinger Threadfin), Dathi (داتھی, Sobaity Seabream), Rohu (روہو, Rohu Carp), Khopra (کھوپرا, Crimson Jobfish) and Chakori (چکوری, Threadfin Bream). Local names can vary between markets, and some cover more than one related species.
Pakistan has a remarkable variety of fish and seafood, from Arabian Sea favourites such as Surmai, Pomfret and Bangra to freshwater Rohu and popular Tiger Prawns. But understanding fish names in Pakistan is not always simple: the same fish may have different names in Karachi, coastal Sindh, Balochistan and inland cities, and some market names refer to a group of related species rather than one fish.
This guide brings together 48 fish and prawn products from the Ilyas Fish catalogue with their English names, Urdu names and scientific identifications, and explains which names are well established and which can cover more than one species. Click any name to see the product.
How to Read the Identification Notes
- Verified: the species identification is well established for this product.
- Likely: a probable species, still being confirmed.
- Group-level: identified to a genus or family, because the market name covers several related species.
- Under review / unconfirmed: the local name or species is still being checked.
Saltwater Fish Names in Pakistan
Pomfret, Mackerel, Threadfin, Seabream and Snapper
| English / Market Name | Urdu Name | Scientific Identification | Identification Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Pomfret | وائٹ پاپلیٹ | Pampus argenteus | Verified |
| Black Pomfret | بلیک پاپلیٹ | Parastromateus niger | Verified |
| Surmai Kingfish | سرمئی کنگ فش | Scomberomorus commerson | Verified; name can cover related species |
| White Rawas | رواس | Eleutheronema tetradactylum | Verified |
| Dangri Barramundi | ڈانگری بارامونڈی | Lates calcarifer | Verified |
| Bangra / Indian Mackerel | بانگڑا مچھلی | Rastrelliger kanagurta | Verified |
| Dathi | داتھی | Sparidentex hasta | Verified |
| Heera Golden Snapper | ہیرا گولڈن اسنیپر | Lutjanus johnii | Likely |
| Red Snapper Heera | ریڈ اسنیپر ہیرا | Lutjanus spp. | Exact species unconfirmed |
| Crimson Jobfish / Khopra | کھوپرا مچھلی | Pristipomoides filamentosus | Verified |
| Threadfin Bream / Chakori | چاکوری مچھلی | Nemipterus japonicus and related species | Group verified |
| Cahkori Hera | چَکُوری مچھلی | Unconfirmed | Possible overlap with Chakori |
| White Sardine / Mittu | مِٹو مچھلی | Escualosa thoracata | Verified |
White Pomfret and Black Pomfret are different species. Surmai belongs to the seerfish group, so one scientific name may not apply to every fish sold as Surmai. Heera is a market name used for more than one snapper, and Chakori can include related threadfin breams.
Trevally, Queenfish, Cobia and Other Marine Fish
| English / Market Name | Urdu Name | Scientific Identification | Identification Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond Trevally / Kakan | کاکان مچھلی | Scyris indica | Local name under review |
| Giant Trevally | پَتَل مچھلی | Caranx ignobilis | Local name under review |
| Amberjack / Saafi | سافی ہیمر جیک | Seriola dumerili | Likely |
| Saram Queenfish | سارم کوئین فش | Scomberoides commersonnianus | Likely |
| Cobia / Sangra | سَنگرا فش | Rachycentron canadum | Verified |
| Bombay Duck / Bombil | بومبل فش | Harpadon nehereus | Verified |
| Scat / Kui | سکیٹ کوئی مچھلی | Scatophagus argus | Verified |
| Needle Fish / Kanghi (Suwa) | سُوا مچھلی | Belonidae (e.g. Tylosurus) | Group-level |
| Flathead | ککڑ مچھلی | Platycephalus indicus | Likely |
| Emperor / Sheri Mulla | شیر ی ملا مچھلی | Lethrinus spp. | Group-level |
| Bata / Mullet | باٹا مچھلی | Mugilidae | Group-level |
| Dhandia Yellowfin | دھندیا یلو فن | Acanthopagrus spp. | Group-level |
| Black Dhandia | بلیک دھندیا | Acanthopagrus berda | Likely |
| Khagga | سنگھاڑا فش | Ariidae (sea catfish) | Group-level |
| Pompano | سوناف پاپلیٹ | Trachinotus spp. | Group-level |
| Parrot Fish | طوطا مچھلی | Scaridae | Group-level |
Tuna, Grouper, Barracuda and Croaker
| English / Market Name | Urdu Name | Scientific Identification | Identification Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuna Dawan | ٹونا داون مچھلی | Euthynnus affinis | Likely |
| Yellowfin Tuna | ٹونا پیلی پَکھ والی مچھلی | Thunnus albacares | Verified |
| Reef Cod / Dama Gisser | ڈاماگِسر مچھلی | Epinephelus spp. | Group-level |
| Grouper / Gisser | گِسر مچھلی | Epinephelus spp. | Group-level |
| Black Kund Barracuda | بلیک کنڈ بیرا گٹا | Sphyraena spp. | Group-level |
| White Kund Barracuda | وائٹ کنڈ بیرا گٹا | Sphyraena spp. | Group-level |
| Ladyfish | لیڈی فش | Elops machnata | Likely |
| Mushka Original 3-Teeth | مشکا اصلی تین دانتوں والی | Otolithes ruber | Likely |
| Goli Mushka | گولی مشکا | Sciaenidae (croakers) | Group-level |
| Dhotar | دھوتر | Sciaenidae (croakers) | Group-level |
Grouper and Reef Cod belong to Epinephelus, Kund refers to barracudas (Sphyraena), and Mushka and Dhotar are croakers. Tuna Dawan and Yellowfin Tuna are different species.
Freshwater Fish Names in Pakistan
| English / Market Name | Urdu Name | Scientific Identification | Identification Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohu | راہو مچھلی | Labeo rohita | Verified |
Rohu is a freshwater carp, Labeo rohita, widely used for fish curry and masala fry. It has a backbone and additional fine bones, so careful serving is important.
Prawn and Shrimp Names in Pakistan
Prawns are called Jhinga (جھینگا) in Urdu. The Ilyas Fish catalogue has eight prawn products.
| English / Market Name | Urdu Name | Scientific Identification | Identification Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger Prawn Medium | ٹائیگر جھینگا | Penaeus monodon | Verified |
| Tiger Prawn Large | ٹائیگر جھینگا | Penaeus monodon | Verified |
| Tiger Prawn Super Jumbo | ٹائیگر جھینگا | Penaeus monodon | Verified |
| Small Prawn | جھینگا | Penaeidae | Group-level |
| Medium Prawn | جھینگا | Penaeidae | Group-level |
| Large Prawn | جھینگا | Penaeidae | Group-level |
| Extra Large Prawn | جھینگا | Penaeidae | Group-level |
| Prawn Super Jumbo | جھینگا | Penaeidae | Group-level |
Are All Prawns the Same Species?
No. “Prawn” is a general market term. The three Tiger Prawn products are the same species, Penaeus monodon, in different sizes, while the other five prawn sizes are identified at family level (Penaeidae). Size labels such as Medium or Super Jumbo do not indicate a species.
Fish Names That Are Often Confused
Diamond Trevally, Giant Trevally, Kakan and Patal
Diamond Trevally (Indian Threadfish, Scyris indica) and Giant Trevally (Caranx ignobilis) are different species. In Pakistani markets the names Kakan and Patal are used for both, sometimes the other way round, so rely on the English name and product photos when ordering.
Red Snapper Heera vs Golden Snapper Heera
Golden Snapper Heera is likely Lutjanus johnii, while Red Snapper Heera is identified to the genus Lutjanus. The shared name Heera does not mean they are the same fish.
Chakori vs Cahkori Hera
Threadfin Bream (Chakori) belongs to Nemipteridae. Cahkori Hera is a separate listing whose exact identity is still being confirmed.
Amberjack Saafi vs Rabbit Fish Safi
Amberjack (Saafi) is a jack (Carangidae), while Rabbit Fish Safi belongs to a different family (Siganidae). Similar-sounding names do not mean the same fish.
Black Kund vs White Kund, and Mushka vs Dhotar
Black Kund and White Kund are both barracudas; colour names do not define exact species. Mushka, Goli Mushka and Dhotar are related croakers but not identical fish.
Why Do Fish Have Different Names in Pakistan?
- Regional languages: Sindhi, Balochi and Urdu naming traditions differ between coastal and inland markets.
- Market names: Grouper, Snapper, Croaker and Barracuda each cover several species.
- English common names: one fish can have several, e.g. Fourfinger Threadfin is also sold as Indian Salmon, though it is not a true salmon.
- Scientific revisions: taxonomy changes, so older references may use outdated names (e.g. Alectis indica for Diamond Trevally).
- Products vs species: one species can be sold in several sizes, so product count is not the same as species count.
Which Fish Is Best for Frying, Curry and Grilling?
Frying
Surmai is ideal for firm masala-fry steaks, White Pomfret for whole-fish fry, Bangra for a richer flavour, and Chakori or Mittu for crispy small-fish fry.
Curry
Surmai, Rawas, Dathi, Grouper and Rohu all work well in Pakistani fish curry. Cook the gravy first and add delicate fish towards the end.
Grilling
Firm fish such as Surmai steaks, Yellowfin Tuna, Cobia and Grouper are good for grilling; use a grill tray for delicate pieces.
Whole Fish Weight vs Cleaned Weight
At Ilyas Fish, fish is weighed whole before cleaning and cutting, and cleaning and cutting are free in every style. The prepared weight will be lower because the head, organs, scales, fins or bones are removed depending on the cut you choose.
How to Choose and Store Fresh Fish
- Look for firm flesh, a natural sea smell and bright eyes and gills; avoid sour, rancid or ammonia-like odours.
- Refrigerate raw fish at 4°C or below and cook or freeze within 1–2 days.
- Thaw frozen fish in the refrigerator and keep raw fish away from ready-to-eat food.
- Cook fish to about 63°C (145°F) in the thickest part.
Read more in our guide on how to identify fresh fish, or compare Pomfret vs Surmai.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fish Names in Pakistan
What is Surmai Fish called in English?
Seerfish or Spanish Mackerel, usually Scomberomorus commerson; the name can also cover related species.
What is White Paplet called in English?
Silver Pomfret, Pampus argenteus.
What is Black Paplet?
Black Pomfret, Parastromateus niger, a different species from White Pomfret.
What is Bangra Fish called in English?
Indian Mackerel, Rastrelliger kanagurta.
What is Rawas Fish called in English?
Fourfinger Threadfin (Eleutheronema tetradactylum), also sold as Indian Salmon though it is not a true salmon.
What is Khopra Fish?
Crimson Jobfish, Pristipomoides filamentosus, a member of the snapper family.
What is Chakori Fish?
Threadfin Bream, commonly Nemipterus japonicus or related species.
Is Kakan the same as Diamond Trevally?
Kakan and Patal are used for both Diamond Trevally and Giant Trevally in different markets, so check the English name and photo.
What is Rohu Fish called in English?
Rohu Carp, Labeo rohita.
Are all Tiger Prawns different species?
No. Medium, Large and Super Jumbo Tiger Prawns are all Penaeus monodon.
Which fish has the fewest bones?
It depends on the species and cut. Fillets remove most large bones, but small bones can remain.
Can I buy cleaned fish online in Karachi?
Yes. Ilyas Fish offers free cleaning and cutting in every style and delivers across Karachi and to other cities in Pakistan.
Conclusion
Knowing fish names in English, Urdu and scientific terms helps you compare seafood, choose the right fish for your recipe and buy with confidence. Explore the Ilyas Fish Knowledge Hub for more guides, or browse Salt Water Fish, Fresh Water Fish and Prawns to check current stock and cutting options.
