Good list of Names of fishes found common in Kerala. Kerala is famous for fishes and kerala recipes are some of the most famous in India.

Name: Goldstripe sardinella
Scientific Name: Sardinella gibbosa
Malayalam: Chaala, Mathi

Name: Indian oil sardine
Scientific Name: Sardinella Longiceps
Malayalam: Chaala, Mathi

Name: Fringescale sardinella
Scientific Name: Sardinella fimbriata
Malayalam: Kari-chaala

Name: Indian Mackerel
Scientific Name: Rastrelliger kanagurta
Malayalam: Ayala

Name: Black Pomfret
Scientific Name: Parastromateus niger
Malayalam: Aavoli

Name: Silver Pomfret
Scientific Name: Pampus argenteus
Malayalam: Velutha Aavoli

Name: Seer fish, King-fish, Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel
Scientific Name: Scomberomorus commerson
Malayalam: Naimeen / Ayakoora

Name: Seer Fish, Indo-Pacific king mackerel
Scientific Name: Scomberomorus guttatus
Malayalam: Naimeen / Ayakoora

Name: Wahoo
Scientific Name: Acanthocybium solandri
Malayalam: Ayakoora

Name: Kawa Kawa, Mackerel Tuna
Scientific Name: Euthynnus affinis
Malayalam: Choora

Name: Pacific Bonito
Scientific Name: Sarda chilensis
Malayalam: Choora

Name: Pacific bluefin tuna
Scientific Name: Thunnus orientalis
Malayalam: Choora

Name: Striped bonito
Scientific Name: Sarda orientalis
Malayalam: Vaari Choora

Name: Frigate tuna
Scientific Name: Auxis thazard thazard
Malayalam: Ellichoora, Ayalachoora

Name: Blacktip shark
Scientific Name: Carcharhinus limbatus
Malayalam: Sraavu, choraku

Name: Spadenose shark
Scientific Name: Scoliodon laticaudus
Malayalam: Sraavu, choraku

Name: Whitecheek shark
Scientific Name: Carcharhinus dussumieri
Malayalam: Sraavu, choraku

Name: Javanese cownose ray
Scientific Name: Rhinoptera javanica
Malayalam: Therandi, Tirandi

Name: White tail sting ray
Scientific Name: Dasyatis bleekeri
Malayalam: Therandi, Tirandi


Name: Pink perch, Japanese threadfin bream
Scientific Name: Nemipterus japonicus
Malayalam: Kilimeen

Name: Convict Surgeonfish
Scientific Name: Acanthurus triostegus
Malayalam: Kurichil

Name: Indian anchovy
Scientific Name: Stolephorus indicus
Malayalam: Kozhuva, Natholi, Nethal

Name: Silver Moony, Fingerfish
Scientific Name: Monodactylus Argenteus
Malayalam: Aakoli

Name: Jew fish
Scientific Name: Nibea soldado
Malayalam: Kora


Name: Bengal tongue-sole, Sole Fish
Scientific Name: Cynoglossus semifasciatus
Malayalam: Nangu, Manthal

Name: Bluefin trevally
Scientific Name: Caranx melampygus
Malayalam: Vatta

Name: False trevally
Scientific Name: Lactarius lactarius
Malayalam: Parava

Name: Finletted mackerel
Scientific Name: Megalaspis cordyla
Malayalam: Thiriyan, Vangada, Kanni ayala

Name: Blacktip sea catfish
Scientific Name: Plicofollis dussumier
Malayalam: Etta

Name: Malabar thryssa
Scientific Name: Thryssa malabarica
Malayalam: Manangu

Name: White sardine
Scientific Name: Escualosa thoracata
Malayalam: Veloori

Name: Black Spot Snapper
Scientific Name: Lutjanus fulviflamus
Malayalam: Pahari, murumeen

Name: Pickhandle barracuda
Scientific Name: Sphyraena jello
Malayalam: Seelavu

I forgot to mention kerala's favourite fish Karimeen . Karimeen also called Pearl spot fish is a favourite fish in kerala. Keralites are known to make more than 50 dishes with Karimeen.

Yeah and its quite rare in chennai, my hubby a keralite says even if we get it here, its not as tasty as it is available in kerala.

I am not sure if the waters make any difference

Do they?

Our fishes might taste a bit funny due to our famous kouvam waters. I think that is what your hubby meant