Black Barracuda - کالا کنڈ مچھلی

Introduction

Black Barracuda – Kala Kund is one of the most abundant seafood that lands daily at Karachi Fish Harbor. Black Barracuda – Kala Kund maintains a stable supply throughout the year with stable prices. People call it the best budget fish for everyday usage and cooking. The meat of Black Barracuda is pinkish with some light grey shades on the outer edges when raw. Black Barracuda is a delicate fish and demands proper handling and storage. Black Barracuda is famous for frying at roadside seafood joints all over Pakistan.

Flavor Profile

The flesh of this fish is light in color, and light-medium in taste, with a quite pleasant flavor. There is a very dark strip down the centerline just under the skin, with a considerably darker flavor, but it is not unpleasant.

Nomenclature

• English Name: Black Barracuda
• Local Name: Kala Kund & Kund
• Scientific Name: Sphyraena argentea

Habitat

Black Barracuda is a sea fish that mainly lives in clear waters in the vicinity of coral reefs. It can be seen during the day in large semi-stationary schools.

Catching Method

Black Barracuda is caught using Gillnets, Hook lines, and Bottom Trawling.

Physical Attributes

Black Barracuda has scales on the body. The last ray of the 2nd dorsal fin does not elongate in comparison to the penultimate ray and lower jaw without a pointed fleshy tip with 123–136 pored lateral line scales.

Color

Body with 18–22 vertical or slightly curved dark crossbars extending well below the lateral line with crossbars slightly wider than interspaces.

Size

On average, the Black Barracuda size range is 1 kg to 5 kg per fish. However, other sizes are also occasionally available.

Cutting Preferences

Black Barracuda is preferred for Slices, Boneless Biscuits, and Boneless Fingers

Approx. Cutting Yields

• Whole: 100%
• Gutted: 78%
• Headless and Gutted: 69%
• Slices: 70%
• Boneless: 47%

Cooking Preferences

Black Barracuda is preferred to Grill, BBQ, and Fry.

Health Benefits

• Heart friendly
• Lowers Blood Pressure
• Improves Immune System
• Strengthens the bones
• Improves Skin and Hair health