Types of Fish Found in Pakistan
Table of Contents
VARIOUS TYPES OF FISH FOUND IN PAKISTAN:
IMPORTANT FISH ( AS FOOD)
Theila (Catla catla)
Structure:
Body oblong, moderately compressed, head broad, eyes situated in the lower lip. Large regular scales. No barbells (ie a slender feeler resembling a whisker on the lips or jaws of some fishes)
Colour:
Body grayish in color on the back, silvery on sides and beneath the fins
Length:
Maximum about 6 feet
Habit:
Freshwater river fish can live in slightly brackish water. It does not breed on ponds.
Spawning (to produce and deposit eggs) period:
June – August.
Rohu (Labeo rohita)
Structure:
Body deep; dorsal profile more concave than abdominal; snout obtuse and compressed. Scaly, one pair of small maxillary barbells is present.
Colour:
Bluish or brownish along the back, silvery on the sides and beneath. Usually a red mark on each scale
Length:
Maximum about 3 feet
Habit:
Freshwater river fish can live in slightly brackish water. Cultivation possible in ponds
Spawning period:
June – August.
Kalbans (Labeo callasu)
Structure:
Body is deep and well built. There are four barbells along the mouth. Mouth is narrow.
Colour:
Bluish
Length:
Maximum 3 feet
Habit:
Freshwater river fish
Spawning period:
June – August.
Mirgal mori (Cirrhina mrigala)
Structure:
Body oblong, moderately compressed. One pair of barbells is present, and scales are present.
Colour:
Silvery dark grey
Length:
Maximum about 3 feet
Habit:
Fresh Water River fish; suitable for cultivation
Spawning period:
June – August.
Mahaseer (Barbus eputitora)
Structure:
Body oblong, compressed and streamlined. The length of the head is greater than the depth of body. Scales are broad. Two barbells are present on either side of the mouth.
Colour:
Dorsal region greenish and ventral whitish
Length:
Maximum 9 feet
Habit:
Suitable for clear and cold waters of hilly rivers and streams. So cultivation on mountains and lakes at is possible.
Spawning period:
April – September
Trout (Salmo spp)
Structure:
Body is short but stout (strong in structure).
Colour:
Head, the upper region of the body and dorsal fins are mottled with red and black spots. Small black spots are also present under lateral lines. The ventral surface is dark grey.
Length:
15 – 20 cm
Habit:
It is found in clear, cold and fast flowing water.
Spawning period:
October to March
Mullee (Wallago attu)
Structure:
Body elongated and compressed. Head is broad. Two pairs of barbels are present. The dorsal fin is very short and without spices.
Colour:
Bluish to grey
Length:
Maximum 6 feet
Habit:
Freshwater river and lake fish
Spawning period:
Monsoon
Chinese Grass Corp (Ctenopharyngoden idellus)
Structure:
Body elongated and moderately compressed. Head is broad with a short and rounded snout. Barbells present. Scales are of moderate size.
Colour:
Dark grey above and silvery on belly
Length:
Maximum 4 feet
Habit:
Freshwater river fish
Spawning period:
June – August.
Murrel (Ophicephalus morulium)
Structure:
Body compressed. Scales are of moderate size.
Colour:
Back grayish, abdomen orange
Length:
Maximum 4 feet
Habit:
Freshwater fish
Spawning period:
June – August.
Bhor (Barbut tor)
Structure:
Long, compressed and streamlined body. The length of the head is less than the depth of the body. Body covered with broad scales. There are two barbels on either side of the mouth.
Colour:
Silvery grey with red fins
Length:
Maximum about 4 feet
Habit:
Hilly streams and river fish
Spawning period:
April to September
For correction and improvements please use the comments section below.
Good and brief list of freshwater fish of Pakistan could be found at these websites, by selecting country name.
https://fish.mongabay.com/
https://www.fishbase.de/
These are helpful sites. Thanks 🙂
Awesome post Sir
Thanks, dear 🙂
Knowledgeable dear??
Thanks dear 🙂
Admirable work i have been searching about fish farming in pakistan and all about it since two days and found so less work done on it, this was really helpful
.
I’m glad it helped you 🙂
Good Information, however you can always visit http://www.Hei5food.com if you are looking for export quality fish from Pakistan, we are exporters and packers located at Korangi Fish Harbor.
Hei5 Iternational food deals in all kind of frozen fish and shrimp.
let me please guide, how could i know the local Pakistani names of Sardines, Mackerel, Anchovies, Salmon, and Herring fish (English names).
Let me check these and share with you the local names.