COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT FISHERY RESOURCES OF INDIA
Sl.No Common Name Vernacular Name (Tamil) Scientific Name
1 Shark Sorrah
Carcharhinus Black tip shark/ Grey shark Kundan-sorrah limbatus
Katta-sorrah/ Perunthalai- Carcharhinus Black tip reef shark/ Black shark sorrah/ Karamudi-sorrah melanopterus
Smooth hammer- head shark Komban-sorrah Sphyrna zygaena
Scalloped hammerhead shark Komban-sorrah Sphyrna lewini
Tiger shark Puli-sorrah/ Valluvan sorrah Galeocerdo cuvieri
Scoliodon Spadenose shark Pillai-sorrah laticaudus
Rhizoprionodon Milk shark/ Grey dog shark Pal sorrah acutus
2 Skates & Rays Thirukkai
Shovel nose ray/ Guitar fish/ Palunga/ Padangan/ Rhyncobatus
White spotted nose ray Katchu-uluvai/ Paal uluvai djiddensis
Granulated shovel nose ray/ Rhinobatus Kalluvai/ Padangan Sharpnose guitar fish granulatus
Small toothed saw fish Vezha/ Velaschora Pristis microdon
Green saw fish/ Small tooth saw Velaa meen/ Uluvai Pristis pectinata fish
Bleeker’s whipray/ White tail Saman thirukkai/ Savukku Himantura bleekeri sting ray thirukkai
Valvadi thirukkai/ Surul Javanese cownose ray Rhinoptera javanica thirukkai
Kurivi thirukkai/ Vaval Spotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari thirukkai Kombu thirukkai/ Kotuwa Giant devil ray/ Giant manta Manta birostris thirukkai
3 Anchovy/ White bait Nethili
Golden anchovy/ Gold-spotted Thogai-meen Coilia dussumieri grenadier anchovy
Poruva/ Nedum poruva/ Moustached anchovy Thryssa mystax Kola
Malabar anchovy Poruva Thryssa malabarica
Dussumier’s anchovy Semporuva Thryssa dussumieri
Indian anchovy Nethili Stolephorus indicus
Stolephorus Commerson’s anchovy Nethili commersonnii
Stolephorus devisi/ Devis’ anchovy/ Shorthand Nethili Encrasicholina anchovy devisi
4 Sardines & Shads Chalai, Kavalai
Peichalai/ Kavalai/ Neethu Indian oil sardine Sardinella longiceps kavalai
Gold stripe sardinella Nonalai/ Kavalai Sardinella gibbosa
White sardinella Choodai/ Thatta kavalai Sardinella albella
Fringescale sardine/ Lesser Choodai/ Nedum kavalai Sardinella fimbriata sardine
Sardinella Deepbody sardinella Usi kavalai brachysoma
Motha kendai/ Rainbow sardine Dussumieria acuta Poondivirinjan/ Thondan
Hilsa shad/ Indian shad Ullam/ Sevva Hilsa ilisha
Elongate ilisha/ Slender ilisha Poovali Ilisha elongata
Bloch’s gizzard shad Muddukandai/ Koimeen Nematalosa nasus
5 Wolf herring Mulluvalai
Dorab wolf-herring Mullu valai/ Valai Chirocentrus dorab
Whitefin wolf herring Karu valai/ Mullu valai Chirocentrus nudus
Milk fish Pal meen/ Pal kendai Chanos chanos
6 Tuna Choorai
Longtail tuna Kara surai/ Kila valai Thunnus tonggol
Auxis thazard Frigate tuna Elichoorai thazard
Kawakawa Choorai Euthynnus affinis
Yellowfin tuna Kila valai/ Choorai Thunnus albacares
Big-eye tuna Kila valai/ Choorai Thunnus obesus
Katsuwonus Skipjack tuna Choorai pelamis
7 Seer fish Vanjiram, Mavulasi
Katta-cheela/ Cheela/ Scomberomorus Indo-pacific king mackerel Naimeen/ Vanjiram guttatus
Narrow-barred Spanish Ah-ku-lah/ Vanjiram/ Scomberomorus
mackerel Nettaiyan cheela commerson
Scomberomorus Streaked Spanish mackerel Mavuladi/ Naimeen lineolatus
8 Mackerel Ailai, Kanangeluthi
Ailai/ Augalai/ Rastrelliger Indian mackerel Kanangeluthi/ Kumla kanagurta
Faughn’s mackerel Ailai / Augalai Rastrelliger faughni
Rastrelliger Short bodied mackerel Ailai/ Kanangeluthi/ Kumla brachysoma
9 Carangids Parai
Kilisai/ Parai/ Semaparai/ Torpedo scad/ Hardtail scad/ Komaraparai/ Pulli parai/ Megalaspis cordyla Horse mackerel Thenga parai/ Vengadai parai
Indian scad/ Russell’s scad/ Paarai/ Kilichai Decapterus russelli Naked breast trevally
Caranx Bigeye trevally/ Dusky trevally Usi parai/ Parai sexfasciatus
Carangoides Malabar trevally Thol Parai malabaricus
Vaththava parai/ Manchal Giant trevally/ Yellowfin trevally Caranx ignobilis killu parai
Blue trevally Tanga parah Carangoides ferdau
Shrimp scad Kilisai/ Komaraparai Alepes djedaba
Yellowtail scad Parai Atule mate
Cleftbelly trevally Kunni-parah Atropus atropos
Ponnarameen/ Mosala Seriolina Blackbanded trevally/ Butter fish parai nigrofasciata
10 Silverbellies/ Ponyfish Karal
Sudumbu karal/ Kuthippu Tooth pony Gazza minuta karal
Karai/ Kalikaral/ Kaaral/ Leiognathus Common ponyfish Soorokoonam-kare equulus
Orangefin ponyfish Karal/ Theevetti karal Leiognathus bindus
Leiognathus Splendid ponyfish Karal/ Kulli-karai splendens
Leiognathus Dussumier’s ponyfish Veri-karai/ Karal dussumieri
11 Lizard fish Thumbili
Brush tooth lizard fish Uluvai/ Thumbili Saurida
undosquamis
Greater lizard fish Thumbili Saurida tumbil
Indian lizard fish Thumbili Synodus indicus
Variegated lizard fish Thumbili Synodus variegatus
12 Catfish Keluthi, Keliru
Keluthi/ Mondai keliru/ Giant seacatfish Arius thalassinus Mandal keliru/ Venkeliru
Blacktip sea cat- fish/ Mondai keliru Arius dussumieri Dussumier’s cat fish
Small-eye catfish/ White catfish Vellai-keliru/ Keluthi Arius jella Blackfin sea catfish
Spotted catfish/ Sea catfish/ Keliru/Keluthi Arius maculatus Sea barbel
Osteogeniosus Soldier catfish Ponkeluthi militaris
Walking catfish Keluthi Clarias batrachus
Silurus Freshwater catfish/ Malabar wynaadensis/
silurus Pterocryptis wynaadensis
Giant river catfish/ Short-nosed Pona-keluthi/ Nedunthalai Mystus seenghala catfish kelutti/ Naddu-keluthi
Walagh/ Vazhai/ Valaiathi- Shark catfish Wallago attu valai
Heteropneustes Stinging catfish Thaylee/ Thailimeen fossilis
13 Eel Vlangu
Kotah/ Kulivi pambu/ Congresox Indian pike conger Vlangu talabonoides
Indian conger eel Vlangu Conger cinereus
Indonesian shortfin eel/ Shortfin Vellanagoo/ Serum pambu/ Anguilla bicolor eel/ Freshwater eel Vlangu
14 Flying fish Para kola, Kola
Paravai kola/ Para kola/ Cheilopogon Margined flying fish Kola cyanopterus
Paravai kola/ Para kola/ Cheilopogon Spot-fin flying fish Kola furcatus
Paravai kola/ Para kola/ Two-winged flying fish Exocoetus volitans Kola
15 Full beak/ Gar fish Mural
Flat needle fish/ Barred long- Mural Ablennes hians tom
Tylosurus Hound needle fish/ Forktail Pahmum kola/ Mural crocodilus alligator gar crocodilus
16 Half beak Usi Kola, Mural
Hemirhamphus Barred half-beak Usi kola/ Mural marginatus
Blackbarred half beak Usi kola/ Mural Hemirhamphus far
Long-billed half beak/ Malabar Rhynchorhamphus Usi kola/ Mural half beak georgii
17 Sail fish/ Marlin Thalapaththu, Kopparan
Istiophorus Indo-Pacific sail fish Mayilmeen/ Thalapaththu platypterus
Black marlin Kopparaikulla/ Kopparan Makaira indica
Blue marlin Kopparaikulla Makaira mazara
18 Barracuda Seela, Ooli
Pick-handle barracuda/ Banded Seela/ Kara ooli/ Thiriyan Sphyraena jello barracuda Sphyraena Great barracuda Seela/ Ooli/ Thiriyan barracuda
19 Mullet Madavai
Flathead mullet/ Grey mullet Madavai/ Kasmeen Mugil cephalus
Manalai/ Sarya/Madavai/ Bluespot mullet Valamugil seheli Madavakendai
Gold-spot mullet Madavai/ Avelameen Liza parsia
20 Threadfin Kala, Ma-kala
Four-finger threadfin/ Indian Eleutheronema Kala/ Ma-kala salmon tetradactylum
Polynemus Seven-finger threadfin Kala/ Ma-kala heptadactylus
Indian threadfin Kala Polynemus indicus
21 Sea perch Selanthan, Koduva
Commerson’s glassy perchlet Selanthan Ambassis ambassis
Giant sea perch/ Barramundi/ Koduva/ Painee meen Lates calcarifer Sea bass
22 Tiger perch Keechan, Keeli
Jarbua terapon/ Crescent tiger Keechan/ Kovakeechan/ Terapon jarbua perch Keeli
Small-scaled terapon Pootankeeli/ Keechan Terapon puta
23 Snapper Seppili, Noolani
John’s snapper Karuvalai/ Parithi velameen Lutjanus johnii
Humpback red snapper Sankara meen Lutjanus gibbus
Blubberlip snapper Cuttu-pirium/ Karuvalai Lutjanus rivulatus
Lutjanus Malabar red snapper Seppili/ Noolani malabaricus Bigeye snapper Seppili/ Noolani Lutjanus lutjanus
Seppili/ Vekkattai/ Thokkal/ Lutjanus Mangrove red snapper Pullikarayan/ Noolani argentimaculatus
24 Grouper/ Reef Cod Kalava
Thorny cheek grouper/ Six- Epinephelus Kalava barred reef cod diacanthus
Malabar grouper/ Malabar reef Epinephelus Kalava cod malabaricus
Epinephelus Giant grouper Kalava lanceolatus
Comet grouper/ Banded-cheek Epinephelus Kollu kalava reef cod morrhua
Epinephelus Greasy reef cod Thala kalava tauvina
25 Bulleye Kakkasi
Moon-tail bulleye/ Dusky-finned Kakkasi Priacanthus hamrur bulleye
Glasseye/ Blood-coloured Priacanthus Kakkasi bulleye cruentatus
Emperor bream/Pigface 26 Vilaimeen bream
Spangled emperor/ Starry Koranguvela/ Vilaimeen Lethrinus nebulosus emperor bream
Ornate emperor Vilaimeen Lethrinus ornatus
27 Goat fish Navarai
Yellowstriped goat fish Navarai Upeneus vittatus
Upeneus Gold band goat fish Navarai moluccensis
Yellow goat fish/ Sulphur goat Upeneus Sen navarai/ Kal navarai fish/ Sunrise goat fish sulphureus Indian goat fish Sen navarai/ Kal navarai Parupeneus indicus
28 Grunters Korukkai, Seraiah
Pomadasys Silver grunt Korukkai, Seraiah argenteus
Pomadasys Saddle grunt Korukkai, Seraiah maculatum
Lined silver grunt Kaakka meen Pomadasys hasta
29 Ribbon fish Valai, Savalai
Lepturacanthus Savalani hairtail Chavalai/ Savalai/ Valai savala
Largehead hairtail Chavalai/ Savalai/ Valai Trichiurus lepturus
30 Pomfret Vaval
White pomfret/ Silver pomfret Vellai vaval Pampus argenteus
Chinese silver pomfret Vellai vaval Pampus chinensis
Parastromateus Black pomfret Karuppu vaval niger
31 Threadfin bream Changarah, Kandal
Nemipterus Japanese threadfin bream Changarah/ Kandal japonicus
Nemipterus Delagoa threadfin bream/ Changarah/ Kandal bipunctatus / Bleeker’s threadfin bream Nemipterus bleekeri
32 Croakers Kathalai, Panna
Spotted croaker/ Sin croaker Varikathalai Johnius dussumieri
Karut croaker Pullikathalai Johnius carutta
Johnieops aneus/ Greyfin croaker Karun kathali Pennahia anea
Kathala croaker Kathalai Kathala axillaris
Tiger- toothed croaker Kathalai/ Panna Otolithes ruber
Lesser toothed croaker Panna Otolithes cuvier
Blackspotted croaker/ Spotted Kathalai/ Vellikathalai/ Protonibea
croaker Kooral diacanthus
33 Mojarras Udagam, Velludan
Whipfin silver biddy/ Whipfin Udagam/Velludan/ Oodan/ Gerres filamentosus mojarra Poonanthartha
Udagam/Velludan/ Oodan/ Gerres Bigeye mojarra Poonanthartha macrocanthus
34 White fish Guthippu, Sudumbu
False trevally/ White fish Guthippu, Sudumbu Lactarius lactarius
35 Flat fishes Manangu, Nakkumeen
Kotaralu/ Nakkumeen/ Long tongue sole Cynoglossus lingua Manangu
Cynoglossus Malabar tongue sole Nakkumeen/ Manangu macrostomus
Carrot tongue sole/ Large Nakkumeen/ Manangu Cynoglossus dubius tongue sole
Indian spiny turbot/ Indian Erumai-nakku Psettodes erumei halibut
36 Cobias Kadavara
Rachycentron Black kingfish/ Cobia Kadavara/ Kadal viral canadum
37 Trigger fish Clathy
Red-tooth trigger fish Clathy/ Karuppu clathy Odonus niger
Starry trigger fish Clathy Abalistes spp
Rectangular trigger fish Clathy Rhinecanthus spp
Grey trigger fish Clathy Balistes spp
38 Whitings Kelangan
Silver whiting Kelangan Sillago sihama
39 Moonfish Ambattan para
Amattikatti/ Ambattan para/ Moon fish Mene maculata Kannadi karak
40 Swordfish Kadu koppara
Swordfish Kadu koppara Xiphias gladius
41 Fingerfishes/ Moony fishes Parrandan
Monodactylus Moony fish/ Silver bat fish Parrandan/ Moolen argenteus
42 Carps Carp
Katla/Thoppa meen/ Japan Catla/ Thick lips kendai/ Koora kendai/ Catla catla Yamaneri kendai/Karavai
Mrigal Mrigala/ Gudu kendai Cirrhinus mrigala
Ctenopharyngodon Grass carp Pullu kendai idella
Common carp Carp Cyprinus carpio
Rohu Rogu/ Kennadi kendai Labeo rohita
Palli kendai/ Sallkendai/ Carnatic carp Puntius carnaticus Sihelle
43 Cichlids
Sethakendai/ Palincha/ Green chromide/ Pearlspot Etroplus suratensis Karassar
Orange chromide/ Spotted Sellakasu/ Paradi/ Challai/ Etroplus maculatus etroplus Boorakas Oreochromis Tilapia Tilapia/ Jilabi-meen mossambica/ Tilapia mossambica
44 Climbing perch Sennal
Climbing perch Sennal/ Panaiyerikendai Anabas testudineus
45 Snakeheads/ Murrels Vraal
Giant snakehead Aviri/ Puveral/ Iru vraal Channa marulius
Asiatic snakehead/ Bengal Parakoravai/ Maniam- Channa orientalis snakehead korovai/ Pothi meen
Spotted snakehead Korava Channa punctatus
Striped snakehead Vraal/ Karuppu veral Channa striatus
Giant tiger prawn Karuvandu eral Penaeus monodon
Indian white shrimp Vellai eral/ Naaran Penaeus indicus
Kuruma shrimp Kathamba eral Penaeus japonicus
Green tiger prawn/ Flower Penaeus Vari eral shrimp semisulcatus
Penaeus Banana shrimp Vella eral merguiensis
Chemmakkara eral/ Metapenaeus Flower-tail shrimp/ Pink shrimp Poovalan dobsoni
Kazhanthan/ Kal eral/ King prawn/ Jinga prawn Metapenaeus affinis Chaya valucha eral
Metapenaeus Brown shrimp/ Speckled shrimp Valucha eral monoceros
Parapenaeopsis Kiddi shrimp/ Marine shrimp Karikadi/ Vandu eral stylifera
Deepsea mud shrimp Rani karikadi/ Kall eral Solenocera spp
Jawala/ Paste shrimp Chenna kunni Acetes indicus
Macrobrachium Giant river prawn/ Scampi Aathu eral/ Scampi rosenbergii
47 Lobsters Singi eral, Madakku eral
Green spiny lobster/ Rock Thala eral/ Singi eral Panulirus homarus lobster
Panulirus Mud spiny lobster/ Rock lobster Thala eral/ Singi eral polyphagus
Ornate spiny lobster/ Rock Singi eral/ Mani eral Panulirus ornatus lobster
Flathead locust lobster/ Mud Matta singi eral/ Kal eral/ Thenus orientalis lobster Madakku eral
Whip lobster/ Deepsea lobster Singi eral Puerulus sewelli
48 Crab Nandu
Mud crab Pachai nandu/ Kazhi nandu Scylla serrata
Blue swimming crab Olakkal nandu/ Pulli nandu Portunus pelagicus
Mukkannu nanadu/ Olakkal Portunus Three-spotted swimming crab nandu sanguinolentus
Christ shell crab Siluvai nandu Charybdis cruciata
49 Cephalopods
Indian squid Oosi-kanavai Loligo duvaucelli
Kadaman / Muttai/ Ottu- Cuttlefish Sepia spp kanavai/ Vari-kanavai
Octopus Pai kanava Octopus spp
50 Bivalves
Pachai aali/ Chippi/ Green mussel Perna viridis Kallukka
Brown mussel Aali/ Chippi/ Kallukka Perna indica
Yellow clam Matti Meretrix meretrix
Yellow clam Matti Meretrix casta
Black clam Matti Vellorita cyprinoides
Blood clam Vari matti/ Ratha matti Anadara granosa
Textile clam Matti Paphia malabarica
Crassostrea Edible oyster Vella aali madrasensis
Pearl oyster Muthuchippi Pinctada spp