Crimson Jobfish (Khopra)

Crimson Jobfish (Khopra Fish) — Firm, Flavorful & Ideal for Fry, Curry and BBQ | Fresh Delivery in Karachi

Crimson Jobfish — locally known as Khopra Fish — is a premium sea fish widely appreciated in Karachi for its firm texture, clean white meat, and balanced flavor. It sits perfectly between soft everyday fish and strong oily fish, making it a versatile option for both traditional and modern cooking.

Khopra Fish has thick, well-structured flesh that holds together beautifully during cooking. This makes it ideal for frying, curry, tawa masala, grilling, baking, and BBQ. The flavor is mild yet satisfying, allowing spices to shine without overpowering the fish itself.

At Anbar Fish Karachi, Crimson Jobfish is freshly sourced from the Arabian Sea, hygienically cleaned, cut into usable portions, and delivered chilled across Karachi, ensuring restaurant-quality freshness at your doorstep.

Similar Fish You May Like

If you enjoy Crimson Jobfish (Khopra Fish), you may also like: Emperor Fish (Mulla), Red Snapper (Heera Fish), Sea Bream (Safaid Dandia)

Flavor Profile

Since jobfish are loosely related to snappers and breams, so it should be no surprise that this fish tastes excellent! Their firm, flaky fish tastes much like a cross between red snapper and sea bream.

Nomenclature

• English Name: Crimson Jobfish, jobfish
• Local Name: Khopra
• Scientific Name: Pristipomoides filamentosus

Habitat

Crimson Jobfish (Khopra) is a reef-dwelling species naturally found in the deep coastal waters of the Arabian Sea and the Indo-Pacific region. In Pakistan, Khopra is caught from offshore fishing grounds near Karachi, Gwadar, and Pasni. It prefers rocky seabeds and coral reef habitats at depths ranging from 100 to 300 meters.

Catching Method

At Anbar Fish Karachi, we source Crimson Jobfish (Khopra) using sustainable deep-sea fishing techniques, primarily hook-line and bottom trawl methods. These responsible practices ensure minimal damage to marine habitats while providing the freshest catch to our customers.

Physical Attributes

Crimson jobfish has scales on the body. The Length of the upper jaw is approx. 2.4–2.7 times in head length. The caniniform teeth at the anterior ends of jaws are not appreciably enlarged. The maxilla is without scales. The vomerine teeth (on the roof of the mouth) are in a triangular patch. The tongue is toothless. The interorbital space is flat and caudal fins are deeply forked. It has no scales on the dorsal and anal fins.

Color

Back and sides are ranging from brownish to lavender or reddish-purple, head with narrow yellow lines and blue spots, dorsal and caudal fins light blue or lavender with reddish-orange margins.

Size

On average, Crimson Jobfish size range is 300 to 1000 grams per fish. However, other sizes are also occasionally available.

Cutting Preferences

Crimson Jobfish is preferred for any type of cutting.

Approx. Cutting Yields

• Whole: 100%
• Gutted: 75%
• Headless and Gutted: 68%
• Slices: 65%
• Boneless: 45%

Why Khopra Fish Is a Premium Choice in Karachi

Firm, Meaty White Flesh – Doesn’t break while cooking
Mild but Flavorful Taste – Not overly fishy
Good Meat Yield – Thick cuts, less waste
Cooks Evenly – Great for home and BBQ cooking
Fresh Daily Supply in Karachi
Cleaned & Ready to Cook

Health Benefits of Crimson Jobfish

High in Lean Protein – Supports strength and energy
Low in Saturated Fat – Healthier than many red meats
Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Heart & brain support
Good Source of Minerals – Phosphorus & selenium
Filling Yet Easy to Digest

Read more about Best and Worst Seafood Dishes for Your Health by Zilpah Sheikh.

Best Ways to Cook Khopra Fish

Khopra Fish Fry – Crispy outside, juicy inside
Crimson Jobfish Curry – Firm meat absorbs masala well
Tawa Masala Fish – Karachi-style spicy favorite
Grilled Khopra Fish – Smoky and flavorful
BBQ Jobfish Steaks – Perfect for charcoal grilling
Baked Fish with Herbs – Clean and healthy

Chef’s Tip: Khopra Fish tastes best when marinated with lemon juice, garlic, red chili, turmeric, and crushed coriander, then cooked on medium heat.

Crimson Jobfish (Khopra) – FAQ