Surmai سرمئی
Seerfish · Scombridae
Halal · Ja'fari fiqh
Rs 1700 per kg
harbour wholesale · 2026-08-10 · recorded 44 days ago
Source: presenter video, single-vendor morning rate - net-caught A 1700 stated
FAO Species Identification Sheets for Fishery Purposes, Fishing Area 51 (Western Indian Ocean), 1983
Body either uniformly covered with small to moderate scales (e.g. Rastrelliger, Scomber, Scomberomorus).
https://www.fao.org/docrep/pdf/009/ad468e/ad468eKN.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)
Surmai at a glance
| English name | Seerfish |
|---|---|
| Urdu name | سرمئی |
| Scientific family | Scombridae |
| Scales | Small, even scales all over |
| Bones | Low bones |
| Taste | Excellent |
| Typical weight | ~5–10 kg (net-caught A grade 4–5 kg) |
| Best for | BBQ/Grill (all-rounder) |
| Also sold as | Surmayi, Kingfish, King mackerel, Seer, Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel |
Common questions
Is Surmai halal?
Under Ja'fari (Shia) fiqh, Surmai is halal. Small, even scales all over. 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 Surmai called in English?
Surmai (سرمئی) is called Seerfish in English. It is also sold as Surmayi, Kingfish, King mackerel, Seer.
What is the price of Surmai in Karachi?
Rs 1700 per kg (harbour wholesale), from 2026-08-10 — recorded 44 days ago.
Does Surmai have a lot of bones?
Low bones.