Moonfish (Chandni)

Moonfish, locally known as Chandni (چاندنی) and scientifically named Mene maculata, is a uniquely shaped, disc-like silver fish that is highly valued in international markets. With its high export demand, especially to Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Chandni is one of Pakistan’s top marine export species by volume. Its delicate texture, attractive shape, and versatile cooking potential make it popular for both commercial and household use.

At Wholesome Seafood, we provide export-quality Moonfish (Chandni) freshly sourced from the Arabian Sea—ideal for curry, frying, or oven baking.

Moonfish (Chandni) has soft, white meat with a mild, pleasant taste and very little odor. It absorbs masalas and marinades well, making it perfect for pan-frying, light curries, and baked fish recipes. Its tender flesh cooks quickly and evenly, making it suitable for everyday meals.

Taxonomy & Identification

English Name: Moonfish
Local Name (Urdu): Chandni (چاندنی)
Scientific Name: Mene maculata
Family: Menidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Phylum: Chordata

Moonfish (Chandni) inhabits coastal tropical waters and muddy estuaries along the Arabian Sea. It is abundantly caught in Pakistan’s coastal regions, especially around Karachi, and is available year-round, with peak seasons during monsoon and post-monsoon periods.

Catching Method

At Wholesome Seafood, Moonfish (Chandni) is caught using coastal netting and small-scale trawling methods. It is a bulk catch species, sorted and iced immediately to retain freshness and export-grade quality. We select the best sizes suitable for both local retail and export standards.

Moonfish (Chandni) has a distinct round, flattened body with mirror-like silver skin and a small mouth. Its unique shape and bright appearance make it stand out in seafood displays. The meat is soft and flaky, with a relatively low bone-to-meat ratio.

Size

We offer Moonfish (Chandni) in sizes ranging from 100 to 250 g per fish, typically sold in bulk or by weight. These smaller sizes are ideal for whole-fish preparation in home kitchens or for drying purposes in export markets.

Cleaning Preferences

Moonfish (Chandni) is available whole, gutted, or headless & gutted. Due to its small size and thin body, it is not typically filleted or sliced. Most customers prefer it cleaned whole for frying or curry.

Moonfish (Chandni) is best deep-fried whole, pan-fried with masala, or cooked in light coconut-based or tomato gravies. It is commonly used in export kitchens and frozen seafood boxes for quick meals. Its meat is tender and absorbs flavor well without falling apart.

Health Benefits

Moonfish (Chandni) is a good source of lean protein, calcium, zinc, and essential trace minerals. It supports bone strength, energy metabolism, and healthy digestion. Its small size makes it suitable for light, low-fat meals and quick cooking.

The majority of seafood contains high-quality zinc. The word zinc may conjure images of cold remedies and sunblock. But dietary zinc, found in a variety of foods including seafood, meat, and fortified breakfast cereal, is an important nutrient that plays a vital role in many of the body’s functions. Read here how!

Explore other small-bodied, export-friendly fish at Wholesome Seafood:

Shrimp Scad (Bakka)
Spotted Scat (Kui)