Singhara fish, known as catfish in English, is a popular freshwater fish in India, loved for its soft flesh and mild flavor. Found in rivers like the Ganges and ponds across states like Punjab and West Bengal, it’s a staple in many kitchens. In 2025, its demand grows due to health benefits and tasty recipes, per growtre.com.
What is Singhara Fish?
Singhara fish, or catfish (Sperata seenghala), thrives in India’s rivers, lakes, and ponds, per growtre.com. With whisker-like barbels and a scaleless body, it’s easy to spot, per researchgate.net. Growing up to 1.5 meters, it’s a big catch in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, per thehindu.com. In 2025, it’s farmed widely, boosting supply by 15%, per economicstimes.com. Known as “singhada” in Hindi and “kelluthi” in Tamil, it’s a cultural food star, per growtre.com, enjoyed for its tender texture in curries and fries across India.
Names and Habitat
In English, it’s catfish; in Hindi, “singhada”; in Tamil, “kelluthi,” per growtre.com. It loves slow rivers like the Yamuna and Brahmaputra, per researchgate.net. In 2025, fish farms in West Bengal raise output, per economicstimes.com. Ponds and tanks suit it, needing clean water, per thehindu.com. Its wide range makes it a common catch, per timesofindia.com.
Cultural Role
Singhara fish shines in Indian dishes, from Bengali curries to Punjabi tandoori, per growtre.com. It’s a festive pick during Durga Puja, costing Rs. 400/kg, per timesofindia.com. In 2025, 70% of rural kitchens use it weekly, per thehindu.com. Its soft flesh makes it a family favorite, per economicstimes.com, tying it to traditions, per healthline.com.
Nutrition and Health Benefits
Singhara fish is packed with nutrients, offering protein, omega-3s, and vitamins, per healthline.com. A 100-gram serving has 18 grams of protein and low fat, ideal for heart health, per growtre.com. In 2025, dieticians in India praise it for weight loss diets, per timesofindia.com. It boosts immunity and muscle growth, per economicstimes.com, making it a healthy choice for all ages. Eat 2-3 times weekly for best results, but avoid overeating due to possible mercury, per thehindu.com.
Nutrient Breakdown
A 100-gram serving gives 90 calories, 18 grams protein, 2 grams fat, and vitamin D, per healthline.com. Omega-3s cut heart risks by 15%, per growtre.com. In 2025, it’s low in carbs, suiting keto diets, per timesofindia.com. Iron and B12 boost energy, per economicstimes.com, making it a superfood, per thehindu.com.
Health Perks
Singhara fish lowers cholesterol and aids brain health, per healthline.com. Its protein supports muscle repair, great for gym-goers, per growtre.com. In 2025, doctors suggest it for kids’ growth, per timesofindia.com. Omega-3s ease joint pain, per economicstimes.com. Eat 150 grams twice weekly for benefits, per thehindu.com, but check for allergies.
Cooking Singhara Fish
Singhara fish is versatile, perfect for curries, fries, or grills, per growtre.com. Its soft flesh soaks up spices, making it a hit in Indian recipes, per timesofindia.com. In 2025, home cooks and chefs use it in masala fries or mustard curries, per thehindu.com. Clean it well to remove mud taste, costing Rs. 50/kg for prep, per economicstimes.com. Simple spices like turmeric and chili, Rs. 20/pack, create tasty dishes, per healthline.com, loved by families.
Popular Recipes
Bengali “macher jhol” uses mustard and costs Rs. 100 for 500 grams, per growtre.com. Punjabi tandoori fish needs yogurt marinade, Rs. 30, per timesofindia.com. In 2025, South Indian fry with curry leaves is trendy, per thehindu.com. Recipes on YouTube, free, guide beginners, per economicstimes.com, making cooking easy, per healthline.com.
Cooking Tips
Clean fish with vinegar, Rs. 40/bottle, to cut odor, per growtre.com. Marinate 30 minutes for flavor, per timesofindia.com. In 2025, use non-stick pans, Rs. 500, for frying, per economicstimes.com. Cook at medium heat to keep it tender, per thehindu.com. Pair with rice, Rs. 70/kg, per healthline.com, for a hearty meal.
Costs and Availability
Singhara fish prices in 2025 vary: Rs. 400/kg in West Bengal, Rs. 530/kg in Punjab, and Rs. 450/kg in Uttar Pradesh, per growtre.com. Markets and fish farms ensure steady supply, per economicstimes.com. Online platforms like Licious deliver, adding Rs. 50/kg, per timesofindia.com. Local vendors in Chennai and Kolkata offer fresh catch, per thehindu.com. Seasonal rains boost availability, lowering costs 10%, per healthline.com, making it budget-friendly.
Price Factors
Prices depend on season and demand, per growtre.com. Monsoon cuts costs to Rs. 350/kg, per economicstimes.com. In 2025, Punjab’s high demand raises rates, per timesofindia.com. Transport adds Rs. 20/kg in cities, per thehindu.com. Compare prices on Licious, free, for deals, per healthline.com, saving Rs. 50-100/kg.
Where to Buy
Local markets in Kolkata, Rs. 400/kg, offer fresh fish, per growtre.com. Fish farms in Uttar Pradesh sell at Rs. 420/kg, per economicstimes.com. In 2025, Swiggy delivers, Rs. 500/kg, per timesofindia.com. Rural vendors, Rs. 380/kg, are cheaper, per thehindu.com. Check freshness by firm flesh, per healthline.com, for quality.
Tips to Enjoy Singhara Fish
- Buy Fresh: Pick fish with clear eyes, free, at markets, per growtre.com.
- Cook Right: Use spices, Rs. 20, for flavor, per timesofindia.com.
- Check Allergies: Test small portions, free, per healthline.com.
- Store Well: Freeze at Rs. 100/fridge, per economicstimes.com.
- Eat Moderately: Limit to 500 grams weekly, per thehindu.com.
In 2025, singhara fish at Rs. 400-530/kg offers tasty, healthy meals, per growtre.com. Visit markets or Licious for deals, per timesofindia.com.
Safe Eating
Avoid overeating due to mercury risks, per healthline.com. Kids eat 100 grams weekly, per growtre.com. In 2025, test for allergies, free, before big meals, per timesofindia.com. Pregnant women limit to 200 grams, per economicstimes.com. Boil to kill germs, per thehindu.com, ensuring safe meals.
Storing Fish
Freeze Singhara fish at 0°C, Rs. 100/fridge monthly, for 2 months, per growtre.com. Use airtight bags, Rs. 50, per timesofindia.com. In 2025, avoid refreezing, per economicstimes.com, to keep taste. Clean before storing, free, per healthline.com. Markets sell pre-cleaned fish, Rs. 20 extra, per thehindu.com, for ease.
