Red Snapper (Heera)

Introduction

If you’re looking for a fish that’s beautifully firm, richly flavored, and incredibly versatile, Red Snapper — known locally as Heera — is one of the finest choices from the Arabian Sea. With its stunning red skin, flaky white flesh, and clean ocean taste, Heera Fish brings both elegance and flavor to your table.

Red Snapper is loved for its mild yet slightly sweet taste, making it perfect for frying, BBQ, baking, steaming, or cooking in spicy Karachi-style curry. The flesh stays intact during cooking, has fewer small bones compared to many other fish, and offers an excellent meat yield — ideal for family meals or special dishes.

Freshly sourced, hygienically cleaned, and delivered chilled, our Red Snapper gives you restaurant-grade quality at home.

Similar Fish to Try

If you enjoy the mild, firm taste of Heera, you may also love White Pomfret (Safaid Paplet) for its delicate sweetness, Seabream (Safaid Dandia) for buttery texture, or Emperor (Mulla) for rich, meaty flavor.

Flavor Profile

Red Snapper is a lean, moist fish with a firm texture and a distinctive sweet, nutty flavor which makes it versatile for many flavor components from mild to strong.

Nomenclature

• English Name: Red Snapper, John Snapper, Golden Snapper
• Local Name: Hira, Kanalcha
• Scientific Name: Lutjanus johnii

Habitat

Red Snapper is a Sea fish that mainly lives near brackish mangrove estuaries, and on coral reefs down to 80 m.

Catching Method

Red Snapper is caught using Gillnets, and Hook lines.

Physical Attributes

Red Snapper has Scales on the body. Preorbital width equal to eye diameter or larger; vomerine teeth (on the roof of the mouth) in a V-shaped patch, without a medial posterior extension;  tongue with a  patch of fine granular teeth; scale rows on back parallel to a lateral line; 17–18 gill rakers on 1st-gill arch.

Color

Generally, reddish-orange with a bronze to silvery sheen, grading to silvery white on belly and underside of the head, center of each scale on the side with a reddish-brown spot forming longitudinal rows on side of the body.

Size

On average, Red Snapper size range is 0.5 kg to 5 kg per fish. However, larger sizes are also occasionally available.

Cutting Preferences

Red Snapper is preferred for Whole, Slices, Boneless Fillets, Boneless Biscuits, and Boneless Fingers

Approx. Cutting Yields

• Whole: 100 %
• Gutted: 80 %
• Headless and Gutted: 60 %
• Slices: 60 %
• Boneless: 38 %

Why Choose Red Snapper (Heera) from Anbar Fish?

Firm, Flaky White Flesh – Holds shape beautifully
Mild & Slightly Sweet Flavor – Loved by adults and kids
High Meat Yield – More edible flesh, fewer small bones
Fresh Daily Catch – Directly from the Arabian Sea
Hygienic Chilled Delivery – Cleaned & ready to cook

Health Benefits of Red Snapper

High in Lean Protein – Great for strength and daily nutrition
Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Supports heart & brain health
Low in Fat & Calories – Ideal for healthy meals
Vitamin D & B12 – Boosts immunity and energy
Contains Selenium, Magnesium & Potassium – Good for bones & metabolism

Cooking Inspiration

Crispy Fried Heera – Golden, juicy, and flavorful
Grilled Red Snapper – Smoky, tender, and aromatic
Red Snapper Curry – Karachi-style masala with soft flaky bites
Steamed Heera with Herbs – Clean, light, and healthy
Baked Lemon Snapper – Simple, nutritious, and delicious

Red Snapper (Heera) — FAQ