Introduction

Scat fish is one of the not very famous and underrated fish in Pakistani markets. One can hardly find this fish in supermarkets or with roadside seafood mongers. However, as always, you can get your hands on it at Niwan Seafood as we are the largest online seafood brand in Pakistan.

Scat fish is usually replicated as Pomfret fish by seafood scammers however it has nothing to do with the Pomfret fish family.

Flavor Profile

Scat fish is fished for and eaten by most people from its original environment around the world. Although it’s not the tastiest fish in the ocean, it somehow justifies its price tag because of its multi-culinary uses. With proper margination of Asian herbs and spices, Scat fish can be a superstar at your dining table.

Nomenclature

English Name: Scat, Spotted Scat, Mia Mia, & Tiger Scat
Local Name: Kui (Sindhi), Dateera (Balochi)
Scientific Name: Scatophagus Argus

Habitat

The Scat fish is usually found in freshwater, inshore, estuarine waters, and often in mangrove areas. Spotted scats are a naturally shoaling species and can be semi-aggressive towards each other. They feed on Feeds on plant matter, as well as insect larvae, worms, and crustaceans.

Catching Method

They are caught using bottom trawls, gillnets, and handlines.

Physical Attributes

The body of the Scat fish is quadrangular and strongly compressed. The upper head profile is steep with large eyes and a smaller than normal snout. The mouth is small, horizontal, and not protractile.

Color

The Scat fish is a deep-bodied compressed species. It is greenish, brown, or silvery to golden on the sides with brown to reddish-brown spots.

Size

On average, this fish size ranges from 100 gm to 300 gm per fish. However, larger sizes are also occasionally available.

Cutting Preferences

This fish is preferred to be cut as Whole, Gutted, and Headless.

Approx. Cutting Yields

Whole:  100 %
Gutted:  80 %
Headless and Gutted: 60 %
Slices: NA
Boneless: NA

Cooking Preferences

This fish is preferred to deep fry, grill, curry, steam, and broil. Since it’s a relatively small flat fish it can be cooked in any way like a bream or Pomfret.

Health Benefits

• Heart friendly
  Lowers Blood Pressure
  Improves Immune System
  Strengthens the bones
  Improves Skin and Hair health