Finding the name of a fish in languages such as Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Arabic, etc. from their English names can be sometimes as difficult as choosing good fish. Fish names are quite different and varied in local dialects. Moreover, the same fish, even though in the same language, can be known by a different name in a different locality.
“What’s in a name? That which we call a sardine by any other name would smell (and taste) as sweet.” The same is true about salmon, tuna, seer fish and mackerel. Yet here is a glossary of fish names in English and other languages such as Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, and Arabic. Search a fish name to ‘taste’ its corresponding translation in other languages.
| English | Malayalam | Tamil | Telugu | Kannada | Hindi/ Marati | Arabic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchovy | Nethili, Natholi, Netha, Nathal, Kozhuva (indian Anchovy) | Nethili, Thogaimeen, Nethail | Nethallu, Pooroava, Kelba, Poravallu | Bolingei Kollathuru | Kati | Phyasa |
| Barracuda, Sea Pike | Neduva, Koduva, Cheela, Thiruthakkadian, Sheelavu, Thinda | Sheela, Ooli Meen, Pilinjan, Cheela, Goli, Gola, Oozha, Seela | Jellow | Obantol, Kanaki | Ghalse, Badvi, Badri, Jaban Tal | Al Gidd, Agam, Al Kebeer, Sabaat |
| Bluefin Trevally | Vatta, Kuluvel, Oyupara, Maduthala | Paarai | Kurugu Paarah | Shitap | ||
| Bombay Duck | Bummuli | Vangaravasi | Vanamattalu, Cocomutta | Bombil, Bummalo | ||
| Butterfish, Murrel | Nachara | Viral Meen | Bonke | Konande, Bonke | ||
| Catfish, Silurus | Valia Etta, Etta, Kaari, Mushi, Thendu Kadu (freshwater Stinging Catfish) | Kelluthi, Mandai, Kaleru, Irung Keletee, Kellettee, Keliru | Jelalu, Walaga, Tedi Jella | Thede, Walshingala, Walshingti | Teesrya, Shimplya, Nal Shingala | Chim Khen, Kumal |
| Catla, Bengal Carp | Karakatla, Katla, Karaka | Katla, Kendai, Thoppu Meen, Kanavi, Theppu Meen | Botchee, Botcha | Boassa, Chepti, Bhakur, Katla, Tambra | ||
| Clams | Kakka, Eninthti | Chippi, Kilingal, Vaazhi, Vazhukkumatti | ||||
| Cod | Mullan, Chemmun, Sarghan, Panna Mahi | Panna, Kalava | ||||
| Convict Surgeonfish | Varipara, Kurichil, Paalla | Kozhimeen | Mootah | Mada | ||
| Crab | Nandu, Njandu | Nandu | Peetha, Pitha | Kekda, Kurlya | ||
| Cuttle Fish | Tonadi Kanava, Kalaan Kanava | Kanawai, Thotti Kanavai | ||||
| Dart, Snubnose Dart, Silver Pompano | Peeyada | Kutili | Kaduvai | Kaduvai, Kokkare | Tallaha, Al Sibin, Seben | |
| Dolphin Fish, Mahi Mahi | Avnose, Abanoos | Ailai, Koppurai Kuzha | Abanoos | Abanoos | Anfalous, Bakti | |
| Eel | Paambu Meen, Mlanjil, Manangil | Vilangu, Seram Paambu | Maluguchepa | Kencholi, Hari Meenu | Vam, Bale, Ahir | |
| Emperor, Mula, Pigface Bream | Valiya Vilmeen, Kurali | Vaalai Meen, Kulli Kozhi Meen, Vilai Meen, Valai Meen | Erimeenu | Erimeenu, Kokkare | Shaour, Sheiri Arabi, Gahash | |
| Fin Bream, Threadfin Bream, Pink Perch, Goldband | Kelli Meen, Killi Meen, Chengavaal, Kilimeen | Navara, Rani Meenu, Sennagarai, Thullu Kendai, Kandal Meen | Chalaneera Kanti | Mudumagalu, Madmal, Madumagala | Rani | Hemamah, Hamarah, Bassi |
| Finned Bulleye | Chenvara, Unnimary, Chuvana, Lisa | Cheena Vaarai, Kakkasi | Disco Meenu | Disco Menu | ||
| Flying Fish | Kola Parava, Baravi, Khola | Parava, Parava Kola, Kola | Parava Meenu | Parav Menu | ||
| Garfish | Kola Meen, Kolaan, Karu Thonamkunhi, Mural, Murash, Kolan, Kokki (freshwater) | Kola, Kokki Meen, Vellai Morel | Kokare, Konti | Kokkare, Konti | Tokali | |
| Greas Carp Fish, Carp | Reba, Rogu | Kendai, Aranjan Podi, Aringal, Poorali | Arju, Elamosa, Chittahri | |||
| Grouper, Reef Cod | Kalava, Murumeen | Kalavan, Panni Meen, Komeri, Kelavan | Muri Meenu | Guri, Gopra, Muri Meenu | ||
| Grunter | Kurukaruppan, Kurukuruppan | Kurumutti, Kalianthalai | Korakka, Karuppi | Thondo, Thondakappe | Karakara | |
| Halibut | Potha | |||||
| Herring Giant | Vallipoomen | Mooran Kenda, Manna, Allathi, Ulahti | Bhing | |||
| Hilsa Fish | Paluva | Ullam, Oolum, Vengannai, Seva | Killalu | Mallas Hilsa | Pala | |
| Horse Mackeral | Chamba, Kolli Paara, Vangada, Kanni Ayila | Paarai, Puli Paarai, Thenga Paarai | Paar | Bangada, Kodante, Goukae | Busaimy | |
| Indian Goat Fish | Manakkam | Nagarai, Navarai | Rathi Goolivinda | Kurli, Purli | ||
| Indian Shad, Hilsa Shad | Paluva | Oolum, Vengannai | Killalu | Mallas Hilsa | Chaksi | Baleg, Sadat, Sima |
| Jewfish | Palli Kora | Kathalai, Koppayan | Pulli Panna | Ghoti | Ghol | |
| Katla, Catla, Bengal Carp | Karakatla, Karaka, Karacatla, Katla | Kendai, Katla, Kanavi, Karavai, Yamaneri Kendai | Botchi, Botcha, Botchee, Krishnabotcha | Tambra, Katla | ||
| King Fish | Kadal Viral, Mottah, Motha | Vajjiram, Kadal Viral, Neimeen | Vajjiram, Peddah-mottah | Anjal, Surmai | Sakala | |
| Lady Fish | Poozhan, Noongal, Poovan, Nangol, Cudeerah | Kilangan, Kilachi | Kane, Nogli | Kane, Nogli | ||
| Leather Skin Fish | Koda, Leather | Theera, Tholpaarai, Katta | Palai Meen | Paali-meenu | ||
| Little Tunny | Soorai | |||||
| Lizard Fish | Arranna | Thumbili, Thanni Panna | Cade Mottah | Aranai Meenu | ||
| Lobster | Konjan | Singai Raal, Kal Eral | Konju | Konju | Shevand | |
| Mackerel | Aila, Ayala | Kanangeluthi, Kaanakaathai | Kannangadatha | Bangude | Bangda | |
| Mackerel Horse | Labi | |||||
| Malabar Anchovy | Manangu | Poruva, Poorava | Tharave, Larrae Manangu | |||
| Malabar Trevally | Paara | Paarai, Thol Paarai | Kodavai | Kodavai, Bonke | ||
| Mango Fish | Dodywa, Rawas | |||||
| Mangrove Jack | Kalavayan | Seppili, Vekkattai | ||||
| Marine Cat Fish | Kelluthi | |||||
| Milk Fish, White Mullet | Poomeen | Paal Meen, Paal Kendai | Pala Bontha | Hoovu Menu, Hoomeenu | ||
| Moon Fish | Ambattan Paara | Kannadi Karel | Ambattan Paara | Hakkimeen | Chaand Machhlee | |
| Mrigal, White Carp | Venkenda, Mrigal | Ven Kendai, Mrigal | Arju, Yerramosu | Mrigal, Dodda-arja | Mrigal | |
| Mullet, Red Mullet | Thirutta Maalan, Kanambu, Thirutha (grey Mullet) | Saala, Madavai Kendai | Bontha Parigi, Koniga, Kathi Parigo | |||
| Murrel, Snakehead Fish | Korava, Manathu Kannan, Vatton | Viral Meen, Koravai | Erramatta, Mottu, Korava | |||
| Mussels | Kadukka, Kakka, Kadal Kai | Aazhi, Matti, Chippi, Kallikai | ||||
| Oyster | Kakka, Muni | Chippi, Muthu Chippi, Kavaddi | ||||
| Parrot Fish | Kizhi Meen | Pachai Elimeen | Kili Meenu | Gili Meenu | ||
| Pearl Spot | Karimeen, Erimeen | Pattai, Palincha, Setha Kendai | Cashimera | |||
| Perch | Keeri, Kallakeedam | Kilichan, Panayeri Kendai | Chamalu, Kilipothu, Ganam | |||
| Pomfret | Aavoli | Vavval | Nalla Chanduva, Tella Chanduva | Manji | Paplet | |
| Prawn | Chemmeen | Eraa | Jhinga, Chingri, Sungat | |||
| Red Snapper | Pahari, Chemballi, Murumeen | Sankara Meen, Paruthi Vela Meen | Korameenu, Thundava, Rangu | Tambusa | ||
| Ribbon Fish, Belt Fish, Hair Tail | Vaala, Thalayan, Vala (boal- Fresh Water attu Valai) | Vaalai | Savallu | Bala, Pitiurkti, Pitiwagti | Salsool, Humalan | |
| Rohu, Carpo Fish | Rohu | Kannadi Kendai, Rohu | Bocha Gnadu Meen | Tambada Massa | ||
| Sailfish | Olameen | Kopparan, Mayil Meen | ||||
| Salmon, Indian Salman, Threadfin | Kaala, Kora, Bameen | Kaala, Thira Vaala | Maga, Budatha Maga | Surmai | Rawas | Andag |
| Sardine | Mathi, Chaala, Veloori (white Sardine) | Mathi Meen, Kavalai, Vellai Suda, Neethu Kavalai | Kavalu, Noona Kavallu | Mathi, Bootayi | Pedvey, Padwa, Washi | Ooma, Alfa, Aida |
| Saw Fish, Gur | Vakusravu | Kola Meen, Uluvai, Vela | Yella | Kandere | ||
| Seabass, Barramundi, Bekti, Giant Sea Perch, Begti, Cock-up | Kalanji | Koduvai Meen | Pandugappa | Khajura | ||
| Seer Fish (spanish Mackerel) | Neymeen, Ayokora, Aykura | Vanjaram, Neimeen, Nettaiyan Cheela | Vanjaram, Konema | Surmai, Visonu, Tuvar Anjari | Kanad, Chanaad Khubat, Derak | |
| Shark | Sraavu, Choraku | Sura Meen, Sorrah | Soraputtu, Sorrah | Thatte | Shivda, Pari, Puram | Jargoor, Gursh,lakham, Walad |
| Silver Bar Fish | Mullu Vaalai, Vaala | Karu Vaali, Mullu Vallai | Karli, Datali | |||
| Silver Belly, Pony Fish | Thaali Mullen, Karal, Nalla Mullen | Kaaral Podi, Kara Podi | Kaara | Surgutta, Katali, Titaka | ||
| Silver Biddy | Kodian Purachi, Pranjin | Uduvan, Oodan, Velludan | ||||
| Silver Moony, Finger Fish, Silver Bat Fish, Diamond Fish | Aakoli, Vavalmeen | Parrandan Moolen, Purranndee | ||||
| Shrimp, Prawn | Chemmeen | Eral, Raatu | Boli, Etti | Kolbi | ||
| Snapper | Kondal | |||||
| Sole Fish, Tongue Sole | Nangu, Manganu | Naaku Meen, Virahi, Nangu | Korra Meenu | Repti, Morrul, Sohr | ||
| Spade Fish | Seepu Thiratai | |||||
| Squid | Kanawa | Oosi Kanawa, Kanavai | Mankyo, Samudra-pheni, Calamari | |||
| Tilapia | Tilopia, Kerala Kari Meen | Kari, Neyyi, Jilapi, Jilehi | ||||
| Tuna | Choora | Soorai | Gedare | Chura | ||
| Turbot, Indian Spiny Turbot | Manthal, Aayiram Pali | Potha, Erumei-nakku | Dodda Nangu, Kolli Nangu, Noori Nalaka | Kuppa, Gedar | ||
| Vela | Velavu, Vella Para | Vela Meen | ||||
| Sting Ray, Whip-tail Sting Ray, Ray Fish | Thirandi, Kottiva | Thirukkai | Teki, Belugiri, Tenku | |||
| White Fish, False Travelly | Kuthuppu, Parava, Kadu | Neer Suthumbu, Kuthuppu | Sadumi | |||
| Whiting, Lady Fish | Poozhan, Noongal, Cudeerah | Kilanga Meen, Kilachi | Kane | |||
| Yellowfin Tuna | Valliya Chura, Poovan Chura | Keerai | Kedar | Albakory |
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