Chappal چپل
Unicorn leatherjacket · Monacanthidae
Doubtful — treated as not permissible · Ja'fari fiqh
Rs 800 per kg
harbour wholesale · 2026-08-10 · recorded 44 days ago
Source: presenter video, single-vendor morning rate
FAO Species Identification Sheets for Fishery Purposes, Fishing Area 51 (Western Indian Ocean), 1983
usually with deep, highly compressed bodies covered by smooth to rough shagreen-like skin consisting of minute to small scales armed with 1 to many fine spinules.
https://www.fao.org/docrep/pdf/009/ad468e/ad468eHT.pdf
Fiqh basis: Sistani (only scaled fish + shrimp); Khamenei ('only scaled fish, shrimp and some sea birds are Halal. The rest are Haram'); Khomeini (partial scales suffice)
Chappal at a glance
| English name | Unicorn leatherjacket |
|---|---|
| Urdu name | چپل |
| Scientific family | Monacanthidae |
| Scales | Tiny spiny scales, rough skin |
| Bones | Low bones |
| Taste | Good |
| Typical weight | big grains ~1.25 kg each (small rejected) |
| Best for | Fry/Curry |
| Also sold as | Filefish |
Common questions
Is Chappal halal?
Under Ja'fari (Shia) fiqh, Chappal is doubtful, and treated as not permissible. Tiny spiny scales, rough skin. Ja'fari fiqh requires a fish to have true scales; most Sunni schools do not, so this verdict is specific to Ja'fari fiqh.
What is Chappal called in English?
Chappal (چپل) is called Unicorn leatherjacket in English. It is also sold as Filefish.
What is the price of Chappal in Karachi?
Rs 800 per kg (harbour wholesale), from 2026-08-10 — recorded 44 days ago.
Does Chappal have a lot of bones?
Low bones.