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.

EnglishMalayalamTamilTeluguKannadaHindi/ MaratiArabic
AnchovyNethili, Natholi, Netha, Nathal, Kozhuva (indian Anchovy)Nethili, Thogaimeen, NethailNethallu, Pooroava, Kelba, PoravalluBolingei KollathuruKatiPhyasa
Barracuda, Sea PikeNeduva, Koduva, Cheela, Thiruthakkadian, Sheelavu, ThindaSheela, Ooli Meen, Pilinjan, Cheela, Goli, Gola, Oozha, SeelaJellowObantol, KanakiGhalse, Badvi, Badri, Jaban TalAl Gidd, Agam, Al Kebeer, Sabaat
Bluefin TrevallyVatta, Kuluvel, Oyupara, MaduthalaPaaraiKurugu PaarahShitap
Bombay DuckBummuliVangaravasiVanamattalu, CocomuttaBombil, Bummalo
Butterfish, MurrelNacharaViral MeenBonkeKonande, Bonke
Catfish, SilurusValia Etta, Etta, Kaari, Mushi, Thendu Kadu (freshwater Stinging Catfish)Kelluthi, Mandai, Kaleru, Irung Keletee, Kellettee, KeliruJelalu, Walaga, Tedi JellaThede, Walshingala, WalshingtiTeesrya, Shimplya, Nal ShingalaChim Khen, Kumal
Catla, Bengal CarpKarakatla, Katla, KarakaKatla, Kendai, Thoppu Meen, Kanavi, Theppu MeenBotchee, BotchaBoassa, Chepti, Bhakur, Katla, Tambra
ClamsKakka, EninthtiChippi, Kilingal, Vaazhi, Vazhukkumatti
CodMullan, Chemmun, Sarghan, Panna MahiPanna, Kalava
Convict SurgeonfishVaripara, Kurichil, PaallaKozhimeenMootahMada
CrabNandu, NjanduNanduPeetha, PithaKekda, Kurlya
Cuttle FishTonadi Kanava, Kalaan KanavaKanawai, Thotti Kanavai
Dart, Snubnose Dart, Silver PompanoPeeyadaKutiliKaduvaiKaduvai, KokkareTallaha, Al Sibin, Seben
Dolphin Fish, Mahi MahiAvnose, AbanoosAilai, Koppurai KuzhaAbanoosAbanoosAnfalous, Bakti
EelPaambu Meen, Mlanjil, ManangilVilangu, Seram PaambuMaluguchepaKencholi, Hari MeenuVam, Bale, Ahir
Emperor, Mula, Pigface BreamValiya Vilmeen, KuraliVaalai Meen, Kulli Kozhi Meen, Vilai Meen, Valai MeenErimeenuErimeenu, KokkareShaour, Sheiri Arabi, Gahash
Fin Bream, Threadfin Bream, Pink Perch, GoldbandKelli Meen, Killi Meen, Chengavaal, KilimeenNavara, Rani Meenu, Sennagarai, Thullu Kendai, Kandal MeenChalaneera KantiMudumagalu, Madmal, MadumagalaRaniHemamah, Hamarah, Bassi
Finned BulleyeChenvara, Unnimary, Chuvana, LisaCheena Vaarai, KakkasiDisco MeenuDisco Menu
Flying FishKola Parava, Baravi, KholaParava, Parava Kola, KolaParava MeenuParav Menu
GarfishKola Meen, Kolaan, Karu Thonamkunhi, Mural, Murash, Kolan, Kokki (freshwater)Kola, Kokki Meen, Vellai MorelKokare, KontiKokkare, KontiTokali
Greas Carp Fish, CarpReba, RoguKendai, Aranjan Podi, Aringal, PooraliArju, Elamosa, Chittahri
Grouper, Reef CodKalava, MurumeenKalavan, Panni Meen, Komeri, KelavanMuri MeenuGuri, Gopra, Muri Meenu
GrunterKurukaruppan, KurukuruppanKurumutti, KalianthalaiKorakka, KaruppiThondo, ThondakappeKarakara
HalibutPotha
Herring GiantVallipoomenMooran Kenda, Manna, Allathi, UlahtiBhing
Hilsa FishPaluvaUllam, Oolum, Vengannai, SevaKillaluMallas HilsaPala
Horse MackeralChamba, Kolli Paara, Vangada, Kanni AyilaPaarai, Puli Paarai, Thenga PaaraiPaarBangada, Kodante, GoukaeBusaimy
Indian Goat FishManakkamNagarai, NavaraiRathi GoolivindaKurli, Purli
Indian Shad, Hilsa ShadPaluvaOolum, VengannaiKillaluMallas HilsaChaksiBaleg, Sadat, Sima
JewfishPalli KoraKathalai, KoppayanPulli PannaGhotiGhol
Katla, Catla, Bengal CarpKarakatla, Karaka, Karacatla, KatlaKendai, Katla, Kanavi, Karavai, Yamaneri KendaiBotchi, Botcha, Botchee, KrishnabotchaTambra, Katla
King FishKadal Viral, Mottah, MothaVajjiram, Kadal Viral, NeimeenVajjiram, Peddah-mottahAnjal, SurmaiSakala
Lady FishPoozhan, Noongal, Poovan, Nangol, CudeerahKilangan, KilachiKane, NogliKane, Nogli
Leather Skin FishKoda, LeatherTheera, Tholpaarai, KattaPalai MeenPaali-meenu
Little TunnySoorai
Lizard FishArrannaThumbili, Thanni PannaCade MottahAranai Meenu
LobsterKonjanSingai Raal, Kal EralKonjuKonjuShevand
MackerelAila, AyalaKanangeluthi, KaanakaathaiKannangadathaBangudeBangda
Mackerel HorseLabi
Malabar AnchovyMananguPoruva, PooravaTharave, Larrae Manangu
Malabar TrevallyPaaraPaarai, Thol PaaraiKodavaiKodavai, Bonke
Mango FishDodywa, Rawas
Mangrove JackKalavayanSeppili, Vekkattai
Marine Cat FishKelluthi
Milk Fish, White MulletPoomeenPaal Meen, Paal KendaiPala BonthaHoovu Menu, Hoomeenu
Moon FishAmbattan PaaraKannadi KarelAmbattan PaaraHakkimeenChaand Machhlee
Mrigal, White CarpVenkenda, MrigalVen Kendai, MrigalArju, YerramosuMrigal, Dodda-arjaMrigal
Mullet, Red MulletThirutta Maalan, Kanambu, Thirutha (grey Mullet)Saala, Madavai KendaiBontha Parigi, Koniga, Kathi Parigo
Murrel, Snakehead FishKorava, Manathu Kannan, VattonViral Meen, KoravaiErramatta, Mottu, Korava
MusselsKadukka, Kakka, Kadal KaiAazhi, Matti, Chippi, Kallikai
OysterKakka, MuniChippi, Muthu Chippi, Kavaddi
Parrot FishKizhi MeenPachai ElimeenKili MeenuGili Meenu
Pearl SpotKarimeen, ErimeenPattai, Palincha, Setha KendaiCashimera
PerchKeeri, KallakeedamKilichan, Panayeri KendaiChamalu, Kilipothu, Ganam
PomfretAavoliVavvalNalla Chanduva, Tella ChanduvaManjiPaplet
PrawnChemmeenEraaJhinga, Chingri, Sungat
Red SnapperPahari, Chemballi, MurumeenSankara Meen, Paruthi Vela MeenKorameenu, Thundava, RanguTambusa
Ribbon Fish, Belt Fish, Hair TailVaala, Thalayan, Vala (boal- Fresh Water –attu Valai)VaalaiSavalluBala, Pitiurkti, PitiwagtiSalsool, Humalan
Rohu, Carpo FishRohuKannadi Kendai, RohuBocha Gnadu MeenTambada Massa
SailfishOlameenKopparan, Mayil Meen
Salmon, Indian Salman, ThreadfinKaala, Kora, BameenKaala, Thira VaalaMaga, Budatha MagaSurmaiRawasAndag
SardineMathi, Chaala, Veloori (white Sardine)Mathi Meen, Kavalai, Vellai Suda, Neethu KavalaiKavalu, Noona KavalluMathi, BootayiPedvey, Padwa, WashiOoma, Alfa, Aida
Saw Fish, GurVakusravuKola Meen, Uluvai, VelaYellaKandere
Seabass, Barramundi, Bekti, Giant Sea Perch, Begti, Cock-upKalanjiKoduvai MeenPandugappaKhajura
Seer Fish (spanish Mackerel)Neymeen, Ayokora, AykuraVanjaram, Neimeen, Nettaiyan CheelaVanjaram, KonemaSurmai, Visonu, Tuvar AnjariKanad, Chanaad Khubat, Derak
SharkSraavu, ChorakuSura Meen, SorrahSoraputtu, SorrahThatteShivda, Pari, PuramJargoor, Gursh,lakham, Walad
Silver Bar FishMullu Vaalai, VaalaKaru Vaali, Mullu VallaiKarli, Datali
Silver Belly, Pony FishThaali Mullen, Karal, Nalla MullenKaaral Podi, Kara PodiKaaraSurgutta, Katali, Titaka
Silver BiddyKodian Purachi, PranjinUduvan, Oodan, Velludan
Silver Moony, Finger Fish, Silver Bat Fish, Diamond FishAakoli, VavalmeenParrandan Moolen, Purranndee
Shrimp, PrawnChemmeenEral, RaatuBoli, EttiKolbi
SnapperKondal
Sole Fish, Tongue SoleNangu, ManganuNaaku Meen, Virahi, NanguKorra MeenuRepti, Morrul, Sohr
Spade FishSeepu Thiratai
SquidKanawaOosi Kanawa, KanavaiMankyo, Samudra-pheni, Calamari
TilapiaTilopia, Kerala Kari MeenKari, Neyyi, Jilapi, Jilehi
TunaChooraSooraiGedareChura
Turbot, Indian Spiny TurbotManthal, Aayiram PaliPotha, Erumei-nakkuDodda Nangu, Kolli Nangu, Noori NalakaKuppa, Gedar
VelaVelavu, Vella ParaVela Meen
Sting Ray, Whip-tail Sting Ray, Ray FishThirandi, KottivaThirukkaiTeki, Belugiri, Tenku
White Fish, False TravellyKuthuppu, Parava, KaduNeer Suthumbu, KuthuppuSadumi
Whiting, Lady FishPoozhan, Noongal, CudeerahKilanga Meen, KilachiKane
Yellowfin TunaValliya Chura, Poovan ChuraKeeraiKedarAlbakory

Read Funny Fish Proverbs Names of Vegetables in Different Languages

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