Pakistani Fish Names in English and Urdu: Complete Glossary with Scientific Names

Walk into a fish market in Karachi, Lahore or Peshawar and ask for the same fish, and you may hear three different names. That is why so many people search for pakistani fish names in english and urdu: a recipe says "pomfret," the seller says "paplet," and a fisheries paper uses a Latin name that matches neither. This glossary lines them up in one place. You will find the Urdu name, its script, the common English name and the scientific name for the fish that appear most often on Pakistani plates, plus clear answers on the confusing ones like Singhara, Tarli, Mushka and Malli.

Why Pakistani Fish Names in English and Urdu Don't Always Match

Fish names in Pakistan grew out of local trade, not from one official list. A seller in Karachi, a farmer in Punjab and a student in Sindh may all use different words, and none of them is wrong. Most of the confusion comes from four things:

•       One name, several species. Sellers often use one name for any fish that looks alike. "Tarli" is a good example.

•       One species, several names. The same fish can carry a different name in each province, or even each market.

•       Loose English trade names. Rawas is sold as "Indian salmon," but it is not related to Atlantic salmon.

•       Changing science. Scientists sometimes rename or regroup species, so older books may show a different Latin name.

Ask for "paplet" in Karachi and a careful seller will check whether you want white or black, because one name hides two species. Ask for "Rohu" and you will normally get one welldefined carp. The scientific name is the one fixed point. When two sources disagree, the Latin name settles it, so every fish below has one.

Freshwater Pakistani Fish: Urdu, English and Scientific Names

Freshwater fish come from the Indus river system, canals, ponds and fish farms. Carps dominate farming, while catfish and predators are mostly caught wild.

Major carps and farmed fish

Rohu, Catla and Mrigal are known together as the Indian major carps, and they make up much of Pakistan's farmed freshwater fish. If you want the rohu scientific name, it is Labeo rohita. Rohu has a small head, a deep silvery body and a reddish tint on the scales. Catla (Thaila) is easy to spot by its large, broad head and upturned mouth, while Mrigal (Mori) has a longer, slimmer body.

Catfish and river predators

Singhara is the fish most people mean when they search for singhara fish in english. It is a river catfish with smooth, scaleless skin and long whiskers. The species usually sold under this name is the giant river catfish, Sperata seenghala, although sellers may use the name for close relatives too.

Malli is the answer to malli fish in english. It is the wallago, or freshwater shark, Wallago attu, a long predator with a flat head and a wide mouth full of small teeth. Both are catfish, but they are different species and look very different.

Marine and Coastal Pakistani Fish Names

Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea supplies the fish most people eat in Karachi and other coastal cities.

Everyday fish: Tarli and Mushka

The answer to tarli fish in english is sardine. These are small, silvery, oily fish, usually of the genus Sardinella, sold fresh, fried or dried. The answer to mushka fish in english is croaker. Mushka belongs to the family Sciaenidae, named for the drumming sound these fish make. Several small croaker species may be sold under the name, so the exact species varies by market.

Croaker names can be confusing because they cover fish of very different sizes. Mushka is usually a small croaker, while Ghol is a much larger one. Surmai, by comparison, is the fish sold in English as kingfish or seerfish.

Premium fish: Safaid Paplet, Rawas and Palla

For safaid paplet in english, the answer is white pomfret, also called silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus). Its darker cousin is Kala Paplet, the black pomfret. Our pomfret fish in Pakistan guide covers types, prices and cooking, and our Rawas health benefits guide covers Rawas. Palla is the wellknown Sindh fish, hilsa, which migrates from the sea into the Indus.

Pakistani Fish Names with Pictures: How to Identify Each One

Names are only half the job. Pictures help you confirm the fish in front of you. Look for these features, because they separate the fish people mix up most:

•       Rohu: a small head, a downturned mouth and a deep, silvery body with a reddish tint.

•       Singhara: smooth skin with no scales, a flattened head and long whiskers around the mouth.

•       Malli: a very long body, a flat head and a wide mouth.

•       Tarli: small, silvery and slim, usually under 20 cm and sold in large quantities.

•       Mushka: a silverygrey body, a blunt head and a long back fin.

•       Safaid Paplet: a round, flat, silverywhite body with a forked tail and no pelvic fins.

Whenever you can, ask to see the whole fish rather than cut pieces. The head, fins and skin are what identify a species, and they are usually gone once the fish is cut into steaks.

Common MixUps and Smart Buying Tips

A few pairs of names cause trouble again and again:

•       Safaid Paplet vs Kala Paplet: white and black pomfret are different species.

•       Rawas vs salmon: Rawas is a threadfin, not a true salmon.

•       Palla vs hilsa: these are the same fish.

•       Singhara vs Malli: both are catfish, but different species, sizes and shapes.

•       Tarli vs other small silvery fish: several small fish look alike, so ask whether you are getting sardine or something sold under the same name.

When you shop, ask the seller for the name, then compare it with this glossary. Keep a photo of the fish you bought and the name the seller used, so you can check it against this page later. For help choosing fish for your family, see our guide to the best kinds of fish to eat in Pakistan, or browse more in Fish Species & Guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is singhara fish called in English?

Singhara is called giant river catfish in English. The species usually sold under the name is Sperata seenghala, and sellers sometimes use the same name for close relatives in the same genus.

2. What is tarli fish called in English?

Tarli is called sardine in English. It usually refers to small silvery fish of the genus Sardinella, although similar small fish are sometimes sold under the same name.

3. What is mushka fish in English?

Mushka is called croaker in English. It belongs to the family Sciaenidae, and several small croaker species may be sold as mushka.

4. What is safaid paplet in English?

Safaid paplet is white pomfret in English, also called silver pomfret. Its scientific name is Pampus argenteus.

5. What is the scientific name of Rohu?

The scientific name of Rohu is Labeo rohita. It is one of the three Indian major carps, along with Catla and Mrigal.

6. Why do fish names change from city to city in Pakistan?

Fish names change because they grew from local trade and language rather than one official list. Sellers in different regions use their own words, one name can cover several similar species, and English trade names are applied loosely.

Conclusion

Pakistani fish names do not follow one rulebook, but the pattern is easy once you have a reference: match the local name to the English name and, when in doubt, to the scientific name. A name you learn today will save you a confusing conversation at the market tomorrow. Save this page for the next time a menu or recipe uses a name you do not recognise. If you would like to see what suits your table, you can explore the guides on Pakistan National Fish. Is a name missing from the list? Contact us and we will add it.