Parrot Fish (Hareed)

Parrot Fish (Hareed) — Colorful, Mild & Firm Ocean Fish Perfect for Grill, Fry & Curry | Nationwide Delivery

Parrot Fish — known locally as Hareed — is one of the most unique and flavorful ocean fish available in Pakistan. Famous for its bright color, firm meat, and naturally mild, sweet taste, Parrot Fish is a fantastic choice for anyone who enjoys clean-tasting seafood that holds its shape beautifully during cooking.

Because Hareed has a tight, meaty texture, it works exceptionally well for grill, BBQ, tawa fry, curry, karahi, baked recipes, and pan-seared fillets. Its flavor is gentle and pleasant — not strong or oily — making it great for families, beginners, and anyone who prefers lighter seafood.

For customers living outside Karachi — Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Sialkot — Anbar Fish delivers Parrot Fish in temperature-controlled cold-chain packaging, preserving ocean-fresh quality all the way to your doorstep.

Similar Seafood to Try

If you enjoy the firm, mild, and slightly sweet taste of Parrot Fish, you may also like: Mahi Mahi (Amloshk), Cobia (Sangra), Red Snapper (Heera)

Flavor Profile

Feeding on coral and algae gives parrotfish a sweet, shellfish flavor. It is a unique flavor, one that Pakistani people hold in high esteem. If you ever come across responsibly sourced parrotfish, we recommend giving it a try for dinner. The fillets are white, meaty, and easy to fry or grill.

Nomenclature

English Name: Parrotfish, Arabian Parrotfish
Local Name: Popat, Tota machli, hareed
Scientific Name: Scarus arabicus

Habitat

Parrotfish is a Sea fish that lives in shallow reefs, and reef fronts.

Catching Method

Parrot Fish is caught using gillnets.

Physical Attributes

Parrotfishes are sea fish and have scales. They are elongated, usually rather blunt-headed and deep-bodied, and often very brightly colored. They have large scales and a characteristic birdlike beak formed by the fused teeth of the jaws. The beak is used to scrape algae and the soft part of coral from coral reefs and is strong enough to leave noticeable scars in the coral

Color

Parrotfish’s coloration varies greatly between males and females. Females have yellowish bodies with light blue bands, but in males, the yellow is much less pronounced, and they appear bluer all over

Size

On average, the Parrot Fish size range is 500 to 2000 grams per fish. However, other sizes are also occasionally available.

Cutting Preferences

Parrot Fish is preferred for boneless cutting.

Approx. Cutting Yields

• Whole: 100%
• Gutted: 80%
• Headless and Gutted: 66%
• Slices: 72%
• Boneless: 41%

Why Parrot Fish (Hareed) Is Becoming a Popular Choice Nationwide

Firm, Meaty Texture – Ideal for grill, BBQ & fry
Naturally Mild & Slightly Sweet – Easy for kids & families
Maintains Shape When Cooking – Great for high-heat dishes
Beautiful Presentation – A colorful fish that stands out
Versatile – Works in desi & continental recipes
Nationwide Delivery – Fresh, chilled & hygienically packed
Premium Ocean Fish – Clean, pleasant taste with no strong smell

Health Benefits of Hareed (Parrot Fish)

High-Protein Seafood – Great for fitness & meal prep
Naturally Low in Fat – Ideal for healthy diets
Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Supports brain & heart health
Packed with Minerals – Calcium, iron & phosphorus
Contains Vitamins B12 & D – Boosts energy, immunity & metabolism

Cooking Inspiration

Grilled Parrot Fish – Firm fillets perfect for charcoal
Hareed Fry – Crispy golden edges & juicy center
Parrot Fish Curry – Mild meat absorbs masala perfectly
Tawa Masala Hareed – Bold, spicy & delicious
Baked Lemon-Herb Fillets – Light & healthy
Pan-Seared Parrot Fish – Restaurant-style presentation

Chef’s Tip: Parrot Fish tastes best when marinated with lemon, crushed garlic, black pepper, chili flakes, and a little olive oil or desi masala.

Parrot Fish (Hareed) – FAQ