Streaked Spinefoot (Tittar)

Streaked Spinefoot, locally known as Tittar (تیتر) and scientifically named Siganus javus, is a reef-dwelling fish that often arrives at Karachi Fish Harbour in massive schools, especially during seasonal runs. Its boneless-friendly, white meat makes it a preferred choice for commercial processing, commonly used as an affordable alternative to premium fish like Red Snapper, Mahi Mahi, and Queenfish.

At Wholesome Seafood, we bring you freshly landed Streaked Spinefoot (Tittar), carefully cleaned and packed for boneless slicing, grilling, or curry preparations, ideal for homes and bulk seafood requirements.

Streaked Spinefoot (Tittar) has mild-flavored, tender white meat with a clean finish and little to no odor. Its taste is slightly sweet, comparable to Snapper, and pairs well with lemon, garlic, or South Asian spices. Once filleted or sliced, it cooks evenly and holds moisture well.

Taxonomy & Identification

English Name: Streaked Spinefoot
Local Name (Urdu): Tittar (تیتر)
Scientific Name: Siganus javus
Family: Siganidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Phylum: Chordata

Streaked Spinefoot (Tittar) is a reef-associated species found in shallow lagoons, coral-rich areas, and rocky coastal zones of the Arabian Sea. It is frequently caught in large schools near Karachi’s offshore reefs and shallow coastal waters.

Catching Method

At Wholesome Seafood, Streaked Spinefoot (Tittar) is caught using school netting and reef-safe gillnets, especially during peak landing seasons. The fish are quickly iced and sorted to ensure the freshest possible delivery for both home and commercial clients.

Streaked Spinefoot features a deep, oval-shaped body with a silver-grey base and faint horizontal streaks across its sides. It has sharp dorsal spines, which must be removed during cleaning. The meat is white, soft, and bone-light, ideal for slicing and fillet preparation.

Size

We offer Streaked Spinefoot (Tittar) in sizes ranging from 500 g to 2 kg per fish, depending on seasonal availability. Its medium size makes it perfect for boneless cuts without excessive trimming or waste.

Cleaning Preferences

Tittar is offered whole, gutted, sliced, or boneless fillet. It is especially popular for boneless orders in commercial kitchens and meal preps due to its easy-to-remove central bone and firm yet tender flesh.

Streaked Spinefoot is best used in boneless fish curries, grilled skewers, masala fry, or oven-baked fillets. It is commonly used in fish cubes, fish fingers, and frozen seafood products as a value-based alternative to Red Snapper or Queenfish. The flesh remains intact when fried or grilled.

Health Benefits

Streaked Spinefoot (Tittar) is high in lean protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, and essential minerals like selenium and phosphorus. It supports heart function, muscle repair, and skin health, and is considered a clean-eating seafood choice with low fat. Read more about food high in Zinc.

Looking for more boneless-friendly options at Wholesome Seafood?

Queenfish (Saram)
Tripletail (Dai)