Fish in Pakistan

                                                             Fish in Pakistan

Pakistan, with its diverse water bodies like rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and the Arabian Sea coastline, has a rich variety of fish species. Here’s a list of some major types of fish found in Pakistan, divided by freshwater and marine categories:

Freshwater Fish

1. Rohu (Labeo rohita) - A popular carp species, widely consumed and cultivated in aquaculture.
2. Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) - Another carp species, commonly found in rivers and reservoirs.
3. Catla (Catla catla) - Known for its large size, also a popular fish in aquaculture.
4. Mahseer (Tor putitora) - A prized fish for its taste and size, found in northern rivers.
5. Snakehead (Channa marulius) - An aggressive predator, common in rivers and ponds.
6. Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) - A hardy species often farmed, though non-native.
7. Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) - Widely available in fish farms and natural waters.
8. Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss & Salmo trutta) - Primarily in cold-water regions like Swat and Gilgit-Baltistan.
9. Mangur (Mystus seenghala) - A type of catfish, found in rivers and ponds.
10. Palla (Tenualosa ilisha) - Known as "Hilsa," a seasonal fish from the Indus River.

Marine Fish (Arabian Sea)

1. Pomfret (Pampus argenteus) - A popular white fish with high demand in local markets.
2. Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) - Abundant along the coast, especially in the Sindh and Balochistan regions.
3. Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) - Known as "sea bass," found in coastal areas and estuaries.
4. Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) - Valued for its flavor, often exported.
5. Tuna (Thunnus spp.) - Including yellowfin and skipjack varieties, important for fisheries.
6. Sardine (Sardinella longiceps) - A small fish found in coastal waters, used in canning and exports.
7. Groupers (Epinephelinae spp.) - Found in rocky areas, popular for their taste.
8. Sharks (Various species) - Including hammerhead and blacktip, though many species are under conservation due to overfishing.
9. Kingfish (Scomberomorus guttatus) - Locally known as "Surmai," highly sought after.
10. Silver Pomfret (Pampus chinensis) - Another high-value species, commonly consumed.

Commonly Cultivated Fish

In addition to naturally occurring species, some fish are commonly cultivated, especially in Punjab and Sindh:

• Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
• Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
• Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)

These fish contribute significantly to Pakistan's aquaculture, fisheries, and local cuisine, with major fishing hubs in Karachi, Gwadar, and various riverine areas.