Introduction
Mrigal Carp, locally known as Murathi (مراٹھی) and scientifically called Cirrhinus mrigala, is a widely farmed freshwater fish in Pakistan. Belonging to the same family as Rohu and Catla, Mrigal is a staple species in composite fish farming, especially in Punjab and Sindh, due to its rapid growth and adaptability.
Murathi is known for its tender white flesh, pleasant freshwater taste, and affordability, making it popular in home kitchens, wedding menus, and fish fry stalls. While not suitable for boneless preparations due to fine bones, it’s ideal for bone-in slice cutting for desi-style curries and frying.
Flavor Profile
Mrigal Carp (Murathi) has a mild, slightly sweet taste with soft, flaky meat. It takes on marinades well and blends beautifully with traditional masalas, garlic, turmeric, and green chili, making it a top choice for spicy fish curries and shallow fries.
Taxonomy & Identification
English Name: Mrigal Carp
Local Name (Urdu): Murathi (مراٹھی)
Scientific Name: Cirrhinus mrigala
Family: Cyprinidae
Order: Cypriniformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Phylum: Chordata
Habitat
Mrigal Carp (Murathi) is a freshwater bottom-dwelling species, typically farmed in ponds, lakes, and slow rivers. In Pakistan, it is raised alongside Catla and Rohu in composite fish farms, particularly across Punjab and interior Sindh, making it available year-round.
Catching Method
Mrigal Carp (Murathi) is exclusively farmed and harvested through controlled aquaculture systems. Once mature, fish are collected, iced, and sent to urban retail markets, where they’re cleaned and cut according to customer needs.
Physical Attributes
Mrigal Carp (Murathi) has a slender, cylindrical body with a slightly arched back, a silver-gray hue, and small scales. It is less bulky than Catla, with delicate bones running through the meat, which limits its use in boneless applications.
Size
We offer Mrigal (Murathi) in sizes ranging from 500 g to 1 kg per fish, available in whole, gutted, or bone-in sliced form as per your cooking requirements.
Approx. Cleaning Yields
Whole Fish (Uncleaned): 100%
Whole & Gutted: 80% yield
Headless & Gutted: 75% yield
Slices: 65% yield
Boneless: 40%
Note: Although the Mrigal Carp (Murathi) can be offered as boneless, it may still contain small bones within the meat. These internal bones are difficult to remove entirely during processing.
Cooking Preferences
Mrigal Carp (Murathi) is well-suited for masala fry, fish curry, and steamed desi recipes. The slices cook quickly and retain their shape well, making it a top pick for home-style cooking and economical meal planning.
Health Benefits
Mrigal Carp (Murathi) is rich in lean protein, Omega-3s, and essential minerals like phosphorus and potassium. It supports muscle function, brain health, and cardiovascular wellness, while being a budget-friendly protein source for everyday diets. Thinking about becoming a pescatarian? What you should know about the pescatarian diet! By Joyce Hendley, Health Writer
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