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When I moved from India, I found it very difficult to identify the fishes in the local market.
In India I knew the local name of most fishes but in a foreign land it was difficult to select
some. I was totally confused.All fish looked the same :) So I just referred to some fish
related sites to get the local names and their english names along with pictures( a picture
says a thousand words) so that one can identify the fishes easily with no further confusion.
So no more confusion. The fish glossary contains fish name translation in Malayalam,
Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, konkani, bengali, marthi and Arabic names form the UAE and gulf
market and some name in sindhi and balochi languages. You can check the reference at the
bottom of the blog for malaysian, Singapore and Pinoy names for the fishes. Help me
correct, if I have written any names wrong. Before going to the fish glossary , lets check the
how to select a fresh fish and for Good Seafood Recipes check this page:
REDGILL DELIGHT
Bright scarlet gills/bright pink or red on a fish mean it’s freshly caught. A dull color is old
fish. A red dye is often applied to the gills to make appear fresh , so beware
FIRMNESS TEST
Softness/mushy means fish is old, a hard form means freshness. Finger tips shouldn't leave an
impression . Old Fishes are sometimes frozen to make it hard, to misled people
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SNIFF TEST
Rotten fish have foul Smell. While selling in heaps rotten fishes are often mixed with fresh
ones
EYE TEST
Look for CLEAR bright,glossy and dark eyes and sunken,red or cloudy white eyes are real
no-no
SHELL FISH
Select shell fish tightly closed without any gaps/cracks
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FISH GLOSSARY
(For a bigger view of the images please click on the respective image)
Anchovy
Malayalam: Nethili, Kozhuva, Natholi, Netha , Nathal
Tamil: Nethali, Nethili, Thogai meen
Telugu: Nethallu, poorava ,Kelba, Poravallu
Kannada: Bolingei Kollathuru
Other: Capsali Mandli(konkani) Phasa, Phansa(bengali)Purasa, Churali Patua, Dinasi,
motyala, Enaga, Onaga, Phansi
Arabic: Barriya,
Phyasa, padni(in pakistan)
Anchovy is distinguished from smelt by the wide mouth and long eyes and relative position
of fins with dorsal wholly behind
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Malayalam: Chemali narimeen, Nair meen, Nuddee meen, tanad, koduva, kolen
Tamil: Painee meen, Koduvai, Kodusa Keduwa, Koduwa, koduva, Painee Meen
Telugu: Pandu Chepa, Pandu Meenu, Pandu Koppa, pandu goppa
Kannada: Koliji, Mudar menu, koleji
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Bluefin Travally
Bombay Duck
Malayalam: Bummili
Tamil: Vangaravasi,
Telugu: Vanamattalu , Coco Muttah, Cucah Sawahri
Kannada: Banguli
Other: Bombil,Nehare,Bunmalo (Marathi) loitta,Lutia, Bumaloh(Bengali)Bumla, Gulchi
(Gujarati) Bombil(Oriya)
Bombil, bombala(in pakistan)
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Butterfish
Malayalam: Nachara
Kannada: Konande, Bonke(Black-banded trevally) [fish no. 3 in the image]
Other: Saudalo, karchani(Konkani) Pabda Jhol(Bengali)
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Catfish
Malayalam: etta, Valia Etta, Kaari ,
Thendu Kadu(Freshwater Stinging
Catfish)
Tamil: Kelluthi, Kezhuthi, Mandai,
Kaleru, Irung Keletee, Kellettee, Keliru
Kannada: Thede, Shede, Shede Galiya
Catla(Bengal Carp)
Malayalam: Karakatla, Karaka,
Karacatla, Katla,
Tamil: Catla, Katla, Kendai, Theppu
Meenu, Kanavi ,Koora-Kendai ,
Theppu Meenu ,Thopaameenu , Japan
Kendai, Thoppu meen, Yamaneri
kendai, Karavai
Telugu: Botchee, Botchi, Botcha ,
Krishnabotcha
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Clam
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Cod
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Convict Surgeonfish
Tamil: Kozhimeen,
Kannada: mada
Telugu: Mootah
Crab
Tamil: Nandu
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Cuttle
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Malayalam: Peeyada
Tamil: Kootili, kutili
Kannada: Kaduvai, Kokkare.
Other: Ladagoo, Katattitaka
Arabic: Tallaha, Al sibin, seben
Onaf, sonam, sonab(sindhi in Pakistan)
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Eel
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Emperor/Mula/pigface bream
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THREADFIN BREAM
Threadfin bream a perch like fish that is found in coastal Asian waters. It is called a threadfin
because of the filaments that hang from its tail.
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Finletted Mackerel
See Horse Mackerel:
The torpedo scad, Megalaspis cordyla (also known as the hardtail scad, finny scad, finletted
mackerel scad and cordyla scad), is a species of moderately large marine fish classified in the
jack and horse mackerel family
Finned bulleye
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Flying Fish
Garfish
Other: Kaikka,Kankely(bengali),
tokali(Marathi) Kande toe, havu
menu, tole
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Goatfish
Malayalam: manakkam
Tamil: nagarai, navarai, kal nakharai, kulnaven
Telugu: Rahtee goolivinda
Kannada: Kurli, Purli
Arabic: hedie hammer,alu tamrah, hidi, Sultan ibrahim,kasarmala
Manori, kolonto(in Pakistan)
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Grouper(Reef Cod)
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Malayalam:Karukaruppan, Kurukuruppan
Kannada:Thondakappe,Thondo
Tamil: Cheri, Ghorakan, Kadichani, Kakan, Korukkai, Seraiah, Kalianthalai,
komkee,Kalianthalai, Komkee, Kurumutti, Mullankra, Pullikurimeen
Telugu:Gorakka,Karuppi
Other:Karkara(marathi)
Arabic:Nagroor, Nagrur, Nakroor
Herring(5 spot)
Tamil: koimeen,nunalai
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Herring(Indian)
Malayalam: Kannan Mathi
Herring gaint
Malayalam: Vallipoomen
Tamil: Mooran Kenda,Manna, Allathi, Ullahti
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Hilsa/Indian shad
Malayalam: Paluva
Tamil: Ullam, Oolum, Vengannai, Sevva
Other: Kodal Swadi, Paliya, Palasa, Mallas(kanada)Hilsa, Peddi(Vonog)( Konkani),
killalu(telugu),ilisg(bangle), Chaksi(Marathi)Palwar, tikki palwar(in pakistan)
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Horse Mackerel
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Indian Scad
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Jewfish(Ghol, croaker)
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Malyalam: Motha, kuluval mothai, kadal viral, mottah (some people call it neimeen , but
neimeen is SEER fish)
Tamil: vajaram, kadal viral,batang,kuluval, Kadavara, Kadal-viral,Cuddul-verarl,Cuddal-
verarl
Telugu: Vajaram, Peddah-mottah
Kannada: surmai
Other: surmai,visonu, viswon , Modasa (Gujarati) Madusa ,Muddus,sakla, Sakala (Marathi)
Sanghta, Aangh, Sanglor(in Pakistan – sindhi and balochi), Cobia(Black King fish)
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Leatherskin (Queenfish)
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Lizard fish
Malaylam: Arranna
Tamil: Thumbili, thanni panna
Telugu: Cade mottah
Kannada: Aranai meenu
Arabic: Macarona, Abu al leban, baram
Koniari, bombala(in pakistan)
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Lobster
Malayalam: Konjan
Tamil: Singi Raal, Kalral, Singi Erali, Maaku Eral, Kal eral
Kannada: konju
Kikat, kikka(Pakistan)
Arabic: Kufea, shurkh al amaaq
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Mackerel
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Malabar Trevally
Malayalam: Paara
Tamil: Paarai, Thol Parai
Kannada: Kodavai, Bonke, Long fin trevally- Bonke koduvai
Arabic: Rabeeb, Sal, Jash, glaaef
Bangra, kakkar,pattar(in Pakistan)
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Malayalam: Kalavayan
Tamil: Seppilli, Vekkattai, Thokkal,
Pullikarayan Noolani
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Milkfish(White Mullet)
Malayalam: Poomeen,
Tamil: Chano chanos, Palmeen, Paal Kendai, Palai meen
Telugu: palabontha
Kannada: Hoovu menu, Hoomeenu
Arabic: Nemara, Eiffah
Ghonshi, Murru, Murra(in pakistan)
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Moonfish
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Mullet
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Red mullet and Indian goatfish (Parupeneus indicus) are often confused. The red mullets or
surmullets are two species of goatfish, Mullus barbatus and Mullus surmuletus, found in the
Mediterranean Sea, east North Atlantic Ocean, and the Black Sea.They are both favored
delicacies in the Mediterranean, and in antiquity were "one of the most famous and valued
fish".[Wiki]
Red mullet has a distinctive set of 4-5 broad, dark brown bands on the body.For a clear view
check the picture with the close up of 2 mullets.Red mullet have a alternating blue and yellow
lines on the head and snout, pink chin barbels with yellow tips, and blue spots in lines along
the body.The red mullet is expensive since it tastes good and is easy to clean & bone.
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Mussels
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Oyster
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Parrot fish
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Perch
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Pomfret
Malayalam: Aavoli,
Akoli, Aakoli
Tamil: vawal, Vavwall,
vaval,
Telugu:
Tellachanduva(white),
Nalla chanduva, Nalla
sandawah(black)
Kannada: Manji, Bili
Manji(silver) Kappu
Manji(black)
Other:
sagoti(Konkani)Paplet,
chandava, halva, Saranga,
poplait, chendu vallu,
chanda, foli
chanda(silver), Rup
Chanda(Chinese),
Arabic: zubaidy,
halwayooh
Karopitho, kala-poplet,
siak tighlum, kala
pithoo(black)-(in pakistan)
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Prawns/shrimp
Royyalu(Tl) jhinga,
chingri,sungat,Chaha,harina,bagda,
Kalri, madak, jaira, lassa(pakistan)
Arabic: gambari
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Rabbit fish
Rayfish
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Malayalam: kaalaa,kora,bameen,
Tamil: kala,kaala, Thiravalai,
Telugu: maga, Budathamaga
Kannada: Darha, Balu, Ramus
Other: Raavaas, Rawas,ravs,lakhea, Kaala,ravns,ravese, Lakhua
Arabic: Andag
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Sawfish
Malayalam: vakusravu
Tamil: Vela, Vezha, Uluvai
Telugu: yalla
Khari-mangar, lair, lairo, suddo, chaiti(Pakistan)
Arabic:syaf
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Malayalam: naymeen,naimeen,ayokora,ayakura,
Tamil: Vanjaram,naimeem, Savara, Mavulasi, Cheela, Nettaiyan Cheela, Mavuladi
Telugu: Vanjaram,Konema
Kannada: neimeenu Arkale, Anjal, Dandi, Bawan,Ayakoorai
Other: surmai (Konkani)surma mach, surmai, ison, seela(in some places of tamil nadu),
Arabic: kanad, Chanaad khubat, derak
Kalgund, kulgun,Ghore, gore(in pakistan)
Shark
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Silver biddy/majorras
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Solefish
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Squid
Malayalam: kanava
Tamil: oosi kanawa, kanavai, kadama
Mayya, mus(in Pakistan)
Arabic:naggar
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Tilapia
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Tuna
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Identify Albacore, Atlantic Bonito, Bigeye, Blackfin Tuna, Kawakawa, Little Tunny,
Pacific Bonito and Yellowfin Tuna
Turbot
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Vela
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Wahoo
Malayalam: Ayakoora
Ghore, gore, yahoo(in Pakistan)
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Yellowfin tuna
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Reference:
www.mpeda.com/
www.fishbase.net/
zipcodezoo.com/
www.biosearch.in/
www.eol.org/
fishinfo.siffs.in/main/index.php (Maalayalam and tamil)
fishesinkerala.blogspot.com/ (names in malayalam)
risikan.lkim.gov.my/ikan/Spesisikan.htm (Malaysian Market)
habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/marinefish/picslist.htm (Singapore)
parisaramahiti.kar.nic.in (Karnataka fisheries)
www.stuartxchange.org/FishNames.html (Philippine )
www.uae.gov.ae/uaeagricent/fisheries/photo_fish_en.stm (For UAE MARKET)
http://www.enhg.org/alain/phil/fish/fish.htm
www.saudi-fisheries.com/EN/Company/Products/ (Saudi Arabian Market)
www.ycfml.com/yemenfish.htm (Yemen)
www.omanfisheries.com/ (Oman)
www.agri-history.org/pdf/fish_article.pdf (In sanskrit)
http://fishindex.blogspot.com/2009/04/convict-cichlid-amatitlania.html
http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/fishery/commercial%20fish_india.pdf
Give a little thought - The secret of being miserable is to have the leisure to bother about whether you are happy or not - Dale Carnegie
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