Description 

Introduction

Surmai, also known as King Mackerel, is one of the most popular seafood choices in Pakistan, ranking alongside White Pomfret and Red Snapper.

📌 This fish is highly valued for its firm texture, delicious flavor, and perfect slicing options for grilling and frying.
📌 It has a body shape similar to tuna, making it ideal for neatly cut fillets and steaks.
📌 Due to its short shelf life, Surmai should be consumed fresh and is not suitable for long-term freezing.
📌 While it is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, larger King Mackerels may contain high mercury levels, which could be a health concern.

Flavor & Texture

✔️ Taste: Mildly sweet with a subtle seafood flavor
✔️ Texture: Firm and flaky with a moderate fat content
✔️ Appearance: Raw flesh has a pinkish-white hue, turning completely white when cooked

Compared to other pelagic fish like Tuna and Mahi Mahi, Surmai has fewer bloodlines, making it an excellent choice for premium fillets.

Scientific & Local Classification

✔️ English Names: King Mackerel, Indo-Pacific King Mackerel, Seer Fish, King Fish
✔️ Local Names: Surmai, Kar-gan, Gore
✔️ Scientific Name: Scomberomorus guttatus

Habitat & Catching Method

✔️ Habitat: Found in the Indian Ocean and coastal waters (depth: 15m - 200m). Occasionally enters estuarine waters.
 

✔️ Fishing Method: Caught using Gillnets and Hook lines

Physical Attributes

✔️ Scales: Loosely attached and easy to remove
✔️ Body Structure: Deep-bodied with a nearly straight lateral line and a gently curved caudal peduncle
✔️ Color: Blue on the back, silvery on the sides, with three irregular rows of dark round spots
✔️ Dorsal Fin: Dark up to the eighth spine, white posteriorly, with black margins

Size Variations

Surmai fish typically ranges between 1 kg to 5 kg per fish, although larger sizes are occasionally available.

Cutting & Cooking Preferences

✔️ Best Cutting Styles: Slices & Boneless Fillets
 

✔️ Approximate Cutting Yields:

• Whole Fish: 100%
  
  

• Gutted: 80%
  
  

• Headless & Gutted: 70%
  
  

• Slices: 70%
  
  

• Boneless Fillets: 45%
  
  

✔️ Cooking Methods:

• Grilled 🍢
  
  

• Barbecue (BBQ) 🔥
  
  

• Fried 🍳
  
  

• Steamed 🍲
  
  

• Curry-Based Dishes 🍛
  
  

Health Benefits

✅ Good for Heart Health 🫀
✅ Helps Lower Blood Pressure 📉
✅ Boosts Immune System 🛡️
✅ Strengthens Bones 🦴
✅ Improves Skin & Hair Health ✨
✅ Rich in Protein, Vitamin B12 & Omega-3 Fatty Acids 💪