Queen Fish (Saram Fish)

Introduction

If you enjoy seafood with a bold bite, Queen Fish — locally called Saram Fish — is a fantastic choice. This saltwater favorite has a firm, meaty texture with a rich flavor that stands up beautifully to marinades and strong spices. It’s a popular pick in Karachi kitchens for frying, grilling, or cooking into masala curries, thanks to its thick slices and excellent meat yield.

Queen Fish is usually more abundant during the winter fishing season, when the Arabian Sea delivers its freshest and fattest catches. With its sturdy flesh and distinctive taste, it’s a reliable option whether you’re pan-frying steaks, BBQing over charcoal, or preparing a hearty curry for the whole family. Delivered fresh, cleaned, and chilled, it’s ready to go straight into your recipe.

Similar Fish to Try: If you enjoy the firm, bold flavor of Saram, you might also like King Fish (Surmai) for its thick meaty slices, Emperor (Mulla Fish) for its firm flesh, or Javelin Grunter (Dhotar) for a milder but equally versatile option.

Flavor Profile

Queen Fish has firm, white meat with a satisfactory flavor, although tending towards dryness. Queen fish can perform well if cooked carefully with the best match of spices and herbs.

Nomenclature

English Name: Queen Fish
Local Name: Aal, Alri & Saram
Scientific Name: Scomberoides commersonnianus

Habitat

Queen Fish (Saram Fish) is a Sea fish that mainly lives in Reefs and offshore islands, usually in small groups.

Catching Method

Queen Fish is caught using Gillnets, Hook lines, & Bottom Trawl.

Physical Attributes

Queen Fish (Saram Fish) has Scales but these are impossible to notice with the naked eye and are hard to scrape off. Body strongly compressed with no scutes and no caudal peduncle grooves 8–15 (excluding rudiments) gill rakers on 1st-gill arch.

Color

Head and body are dusky green to bluish dorsally, grey to silvery below with large golden yellow shades sometimes.

Size

On average, the Queen Fish (Saram Fish) size range is 1 kg to 5 kg per fish. However, Other sizes are also occasionally available.

Cutting Preferences

Queen Fish (Saram Fish) is preferred for Slices, Boneless Fillets, Boneless Biscuits, and Boneless Fingers

Approx. Cutting Yields

• Whole: 100%
• Gutted: 82%
• Headless and Gutted: 65%
• Slices: 75%
• Boneless: 47%

Why Choose Queen Fish (Saram)?

• Firm, Meaty Flesh – Stays intact during frying, grilling, and curries.
• Strong Flavor – Pairs well with bold masalas and marinades.
• Excellent Meat Yield – Thick slices mean more fish and fewer bones.
• Seasonal Freshness – Especially abundant during winter months.
• Hygienic Delivery – Fresh from Karachi Fish Harbour, cleaned and packed with care.

Health Benefits of Queen Fish

• Rich in Omega-3s – Supports heart and brain health.
• High-Protein Source – Builds muscle and boosts energy.
• Bone & Joint Health – Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus keep bones strong.
• Boosts Immunity – Packed with selenium, zinc, and vitamin B12.
• Weight-Friendly – Lean, low in fat, and nutrient-dense.

Cooking Inspiration

• Masala Fried Saram – Spicy, crispy, and perfect with naan.
• Grilled Queen Fish with Lemon – Smoky and juicy, ideal for BBQ nights.
• Karachi-Style Saram Curry – A rich, bold masala with tender fish chunks.
• Baked Queen Fish Steaks – A wholesome oven-cooked option with herbs.

Queen Fish (Saram) — FAQ