Sea Fish
Buy Fresh Bakka (Shrimp Scad) Fish Online in Karachi
Buy fresh Bakka fish (Shrimp Scad) online in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad & across Pakistan with reliable seafood home delivery. At Gwadar Seafood, our Bakka is wild-caught, hygienically handled, and delivered fresh without chemical treatments or long-term freezing.
Introduction
Shrimp Scad, locally known as Bakka, is a widely available and easy-to-cook fish known for its clean taste and crisp frying quality. Scientifically called Alepes djedaba, it belongs to the Carangidae family.
Bakka is a popular choice for everyday cooking due to its lean, firm meat and ability to develop a crispy texture when fried. Its mild flavor makes it suitable for a wide range of local masalas and cooking styles.
Habitat, Behavior & Diet
- Habitat: Coastal waters, reefs, and sandy or muddy bottoms
- Schooling: Forms large surface shoals
- Diet: Small crustaceans, plankton, and juvenile fish
Commonly found in shallow inshore waters, making it easily available in local markets. It prefers shallow inshore zones (5–60 m) and often mingles in mixed shoals with trevally and sardines.
Reproduction & Conservation
Matures at approximately 17 cm fork length (≈ 150–190 mm)
Spawning occurs spring to late summer, often twice per season (batch spawner)
Fecundity ranges from 15,000 to 640,000 eggs per female, avg ~310,000 in Indian populations
IUCN status: Least Concern, though regionally overexploited in Pakistan’s Arabian Sea
Why Bakka Fish Is a Good Choice
- Mild, clean taste (not overly fishy)
- Lean and firm flesh
- Ideal for deep fry, tawa fry, and curry
- High in protein and essential nutrients
- Budget-friendly for regular use
Names & Taxonomy
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Shrimp Scad |
| Local Name | Bakka / Bakra / Chhota Sore |
| Scientific Name | Alepes djedaba |
| Family | Carangidae |
| Order | Carangiformes |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Phylum | Chordata |
Sourcing & Catching Method
Wild-caught in the Arabian Sea off Sindh and Balochistan
Captured using surface gillnets and purse seines—common methods with low stress
Peak season: October to May (reports of overfishing suggest sustainable caution)
Physical Traits & Texture
Common size: 15–25 cm length, 80–200 g weight
Maximum reported size: up to ~40 cm, rare in local waters
Dense, oval-shaped body with silver-yellow sheen and dark opercular spot
Flesh is lean, firm, and low in scents—ideal for mild flavor seekers
Size Options
| Size Range | Use Cases |
|---|---|
| 80–120 g | Whole fry, kids’ plates, tawa fry |
| 130–180 g | Curry, slicing, stuffed fry |
| 200 g+ | (Rare) Bone-in steaks or headless grill cuts |
Cutting Options & Approximate Yields
| Cut Style | Yield % | Ideal Use |
|---|---|---|
| Whole (cleaned) | ~100% | Shallow fry, deep fry |
| Gutted only | ~85% | Basic masala fry |
| Headless & gutted | ~70% | Child-friendly or curry prep |
| Sliced (bone-in) | ~55–60% | Tawa fry, air-fried cutlets |
| Boneless fillets | ~28–32% | Rare – used in rolls or croquettes |
Tips for Selecting Fresh Bakka Fish
Clear eyes and tight skin
Clean belly with no bloating
Skin should be silvery, not pale grey
No ammonia smell — mild, clean scent
At Gwadarseafood, we inspect each catch manually before it reaches your kitchen.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate fresh fish below 4 °C and cook within 24–36 hours
Freeze cleaned fish in sealed packs up to 3 weeks
Avoid freezing too long due to lean nature—may dry out
Marinated Bakka can be frozen raw and fried straight from freezer
Nutrition Highlights (approx. per 100 g, raw)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~110–120 kcal |
| Protein | ~20–21 g |
| Total Fat | ~2.5–3.5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sodium | ~50 mg |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | ~0.18–0.22 g |
| Selenium | ~34 µg |
| Vitamin B12 | ~2.2 µg |
| Iron | ~1.2 mg |
Source: FishBase, FAO, USDA, species-specific lab tests where available. Values are approximate and may vary.
Need Something Similar?
Try these if you like Bakka:
Indian Mackerel (Bangda): Smaller, crispier, great for pickle masala
Kui (Scat Fish): Flakier and soft-textured
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