Phadda پھڈا
Longfin batfish · Ephippidae (batfish/spadefish)
Halal · Ja'fari fiqh
Rs 600 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
Scales moderate to small.
https://www.fao.org/docrep/pdf/009/ad468e/ad468eDQ.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)
Phadda at a glance
| English name | Longfin batfish |
|---|---|
| Urdu name | پھڈا |
| Scientific family | Ephippidae (batfish/spadefish) |
| Scales | True scales, rough-edged |
| Bones | Moderate bones |
| Taste | Medium |
| Typical weight | ~3–5/6 kg |
| Best for | Curry/Fry |
| Also sold as | Phara, پھارا, spadefish |
Common questions
Is Phadda halal?
Under Ja'fari (Shia) fiqh, Phadda is halal. True scales, rough-edged. 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 Phadda called in English?
Phadda (پھڈا) is called Longfin batfish in English. It is also sold as Phara, پھارا, spadefish.
What is the price of Phadda in Karachi?
Rs 600 per kg (harbour wholesale), from 2026-08-10 — recorded 44 days ago.
Does Phadda have a lot of bones?
Moderate bones.