In West Bengal and Bangladesh, fishes form a staple part of the diet.
People here like to catch fish and enjoy it fresh after sourcing popular fish from fresh-water small rivers, paddy fields, ponds, and other water bodies. Some of the most sought-after species that fishermen seek while fishing are Bengal carp, kan magur, tilapia, common carp, Bhetki fish, and several others.
Did you know that the most popular dish in the region is Bhetki fillets served with steamed white rice and vegetables!
Chuna Beleis caught in large numbers in Dakatia and Meghna Rivers in the spring season.
Salmon, Meaning: salmon, a fish Origin: Animal name ~ View Detail
Panta Ilishis popular comfort food, famous for the Pohela Boishakh festival, ‘Bengali new year’, prepared with leftover rice and fried hilsa fish.
Indian River Shador Gudusia Chapra is a fish belonging to the Clupeidae family and that is found in ponds and rivers as well.
Bhetkior Barramundi, a widely loved fish, is 80 in (200 cm) long and found in the Bay of Bengal.
Puti Macher Tokis a regional Bengali fish curry in West Bengal prepared simply with different Indian spices.
Fish Kabirajiis fried fish fillets that are a savory food eaten widely during evening tea in Bengali-spoken cities and countries.
Pangasis an extremely common fish that is 120 in (300 cm) long and is found in the Choto Jamuna River along with the Ganges River.
Baghairis found in the Ganges Basin. It is an endangered fish.
Gurjalior the Indian Salmon is a protein-rich fish that helps to maintain a healthy metabolism.
Aaris found in the western rivers in southern India and is high in calcium and proteins.
Long-whiskered Catfishor ‘sperata aor’, is a well-camouflaged and highly colorful fish.
Pabdais an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids along with vitamins and minerals. It is a freshwater found fish,
Tepais found in the Jamuna rivers along with other ponds and canals in Bangladesh.
Gura Tengrais also called Futkibuzuri in many Bengali-speaking places.
Neftaniis 4 in (10 cm) long and is found in rivers, ponds, and a beel throughout the Bangladeshi rivers.
Menoda Catfishare the inhabitants of rivers and ponds. It is found on the bottom of the ponds.
Nineveh, Meaning: house of fish Origin: Biblical place name from Akkadian or Babylonian ~ View Detail
Pulasais a fresh rainy water rare fish that people book a year in advance.
Fin Breamis a white-fleshed fish that is prepared to eat in a lot of ways amongst a lot of communities.
Ritais 60 in (150 cm) long and is also known as catfish.
Kalibausare orange fin-Labeo and they are 36 in (90 cm) long, abundantly found in beels and rivers.
Red Mulletsare species of goatfish. It is prepared with the fish bones intact and could be found easily in a fish market.
Bhetki,also called Barramundi, is not your everyday served fish. It is eaten and served on specific occasions.
Bholais one of the biggest fishes found by fishermen in the rivers. It is commonly known as the Asian sea bass.
Rainbow Minnowis originally found in North America but is popular in the region as well.
Kakrar Jhalis a seafood crab curry that is famous in Bengali culture. Served with potatoes and crab.
Indian Mottled Eelbelonging to the family of Anguilidea is a famous fish found in the Indian and East Indies area.
Katla,found in the freshwater in South-Asian countries, is also enriched with vitamins and proteins.
Anjuis found only in streams, canals, ponds, and ditches in Bangladesh.
Gray Eel-catfishare easy to catch. They have a widely spaced spine.
Kharuis native to Bangladeshi rivers and is 40 in (100 cm) long. They ascend in rivers that are far above the tidal influence.
Pike, Meaning: pike, a fish Origin: American animal name
Chola Puntiis also known as Chala Punti or green barb, which is found in the Choto Jamuna River and other water sites.
Wallago Attualso known as the helicopter catfish, is a freshwater catfish, native to South-East Asian countries.
Rui Postoa famous dish of Ghoti Bari, is also prepared in sweet water after the marinating of fish.
Kachkiis popular for fishing and is found abundantly in rivers throughout Bangladesh.
Nandilwas previously extremely abundant but has decreased due to global warming.
Kajuliis a species of catfish. It is tender and immensely flavorsome.
Sholor snakehead murrel is 40 in (100 cm) long and is very abundantly found in the beels, ponds, and swamps throughout the South-East Asian countries.
Gozaris found in the Choto Jamuna River along with several swamps and beels.
Dhal maguris a 6 in (15 cm) long fish and is native to Bangladesh.
Lal Chandais an extremely small Asian fish species that is just 2 in (5.08 cm) long with blue-edged fins.
Savon Khorkais found in streams and is native to Bangladeshi waters.
Ghora Machis native to Bangladeshi rivers and is 36 in (90 cm) long.
Rani also called the pink perch fish, is high in docosahexaenoic acid, highest in any freshwater fish.
Slender Rasboraalso called black-line rasbora, belongs to the Cyprinid family and is found in the rivers.
Indian Salmonor rawas is one of the most loved fish delicacies in India. It can be found on the western coast.
Bhetki Paturiis cooked wrapped in leaf parcels, after getting marinated in mustard oil, turmeric, and salt. It is eaten on white rice.
Botkoiis found in the Ganges River drainage along with ponds, and swamps throughout Bangladesh.
Batais a fata also called Labeo bata. It is a native fish from the Indian and Bangladeshi areas.
Katolis found in the Choto Jamuna River. These are widely used in aquaculture.
Bou Machis found in the Jamuna rivers.
Chingri Macher Kaliais a Bengali curry made with either shrimp or prawns by marinating it. Potatoes are also served with it.
Bamoshis found on the coast of the Bay of Bengal and is 40 in (100 cm) long.
Threadfin Breamis found in the tropical to subtropical waters throughout the world and is excellent to eat.
Trout Barbalso known as the Indian trout, belongs to the family of Cyprinidae and is found in the freshwater of the Bay of Bengal.
Guizzais 60 in (150 cm) long and is known as giant river catfish, they are widespread and are also found in fields.
Tiasholis found in beels and is known to eat the mustard plant’s flower.
Pomfret Mache Jhalis a tomato-based curry made with nigella seeds, garlic, and green chilies. It takes less than half an hour to prepare.
Bengal Eelis a famous fish in Bengal as its mucus is used in making medicine for arthritis.
Silver Carpis a freshwater cyprinid fish found mainly in Asian countries, such as Bangladesh, China, and Indian subcontinents.
Bengali Doi Maachis perfect for lunch as it is made by marinating fish and preparing a yogurt-based curry to go with white rice.
Ilish,or Hilsa, is the most popular fish that is eaten in West Bengal and Bangladesh. It is also considered the queen of fish.
Tangra Macher Jhalis a catfish fried with potatoes, tomatoes, onion, and garlic along with mustard oil, seeds, and nigella seeds. It is a favorite of many.
Chelais a 6 in (15 cm) long fish that are found in the streams of the Meghna drainage.
Gang Tengrais called the Ornata catfish and is 1.5 in (3.7 cm) long.
Salmon, Meaning: salmon, a fish Origin: Animal name
Tor Toris a mahseer fish that is commonly found in fast-flowing streams and rivers.
Nuna Bailais found in the rivers of Dakatia and Meghna rivers.
Chital Maacher Muithais a flavored fish curry made with chital fish nuggets and severed with a spicy onion tomato-based gravy.
Shorputi Jhalis an easy dish to prepare in 15 minutes. Made with nigella seeds, mustard oil, and a couple of green chilies.
Banspatais found in rivers and canals through the Bangladeshi waters.
Chingri,prawns that are preferred widely by people of Bengal and Bangladesh. Many curries are made with it.
Troutis extremely good for health with a high amount of protein, niacin, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Kuchiaor mud eel is found in the Choto Jamuna River and is 28 in (70 cm) long.
Baraliis native to Bangladeshi and Indian sub-continents.
Boga Labeobelongs to the Cyprinidae and the Actinopterygii family that is found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Katla Kalia is a very famous dish in Bengali cuisine, made with fresh-caught fatty fishes by tempering the oil with bay leaf, cumin seeds, and cinnamon sticks.
Shorputiis a silver barb fish, a rustic flavored curry is prepared with it.
Barramundialso known as Asian sea bass, is famous in many Bengali households as it is extremely good for health.
Baneharais 80 in (200 cm) long, found in Somerswari, and caught from the Karnafulli Reservoir.
Kalani, Meaning: the heavens Origin: Hawaiian
Mourolais the Indian Anchovies, small-sized, with a different taste, and pairs well with mustard paste.
Sorsebata Ilish Maach,prepared in mustard oil with pungent flavors.
Nuna Baillais a native to Southeast Asian countries.
Kani Tengrais native to the Bangladeshi Rivers.
Fish Biryani,a meal in itself, prepared with butter, bay leaf, mustard oil, and white rice. It is a favorite of many belonging to Bengali culture.
Chep Chelais also native to the Bangladeshi and Indian rivers and streams.
Chingri Malaikariis a curry that is made with king and tiger prawns combined with coconut milk and spices. It was extremely popular during British rule in India.
Reef Codis a greater division of several colored reef cods in the group. They belong to the Serranidae family.
Tangra,a small-sized catfish, is preferred by people of West Bengal and Bangladesh. It is easy to prepare and good for health.
Chitol,known as Indian featherback, is found in the Brahmaputra river mainly in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Hamilton’s Barillabelongs to the Cyprinidae family and is a tropical fish tastes superior.
Koi Macher Jhalis a traditional Bengali curry, popular in Bengal and Bangladesh due to its simplicity.
Poais also called long-finned croakers. They are found in the Bay of Bengal.
Machcher Jholis a simple curry that is prepared by catching fresh fish in mustard oil.
Muri Ghontois the most authentic fish curry famous in West Bengal and Bangladesh with crispy fish heads, potatoes, and rice.
Ayreis native to Bangladeshi rivers. They are found in the Choto Jamuna river and are also widespread.
Macher Muro Diye Moong Dalis a dish only prepared on some occasions with moong dal and the head of the fish.
Bengal Barbis endangered in Bangladesh. It has a silver body color and the maximum length is 8 in (20 cm).
Gaglais found in the Bay of Bengal and caught from the river Meghna.
Baimor spiny eel is 36 in (90 cm) long and is found in the Choto Jamuna River.
Chingri Postois prepared in a poppy seed paste, with prawns and potatoes.
Parsheis a freshwater fish that is quite famous in Bengal. It is sweet with its lean and delicate texture.
Shada Ghoniais available throughout South Asian countries and is 60 in (150 cm) long.
Chitalis called Clown Knifefish and is found in reservoirs and canals.
Koiare found in the Choto Jamuna River and are 10 in (25 cm) long.
Karimeenis a sweet and salty flavored fish that is extremely famous among sea-food lovers in Kerela.
Kuta Kantiis a fish found in streams that have a sandy bottom and overhanging grasses.
Dwarf Goonchis also called devil catfish, belongs to the genus Bagarius. Found largely in South Asia.
Honey Gouramiis a sweet species of gourami native that can be kept alone or with pair.
Great Snakeheador channa micropellets, is a giant mudfish that is the largest species.
Climbing Perchis a smart fish that are aggressive and hard to catch. Found in Southeast Asia.
Bechiis found in the Choto Jamuna River. It is used to control mosquitos.
White Mulletis a subtropical and tropical fish that belongs to the family of Mugilidae.
Shorshe Bhapa Machis a famous dish prepared during the monsoon months of Bengal with Hilsa fish that is regarded as the queen of fish.
Rohu,is from the carp family, mostly eaten in Bengali cuisine in West Bengal, Bangladesh, and Tamil Nadu.
