Species sheet · The Edible Ocean
Hilsa shad
The silver shad that runs up rivers.
- Steamed with mustard and chilli
- Whole crispy fry
- In a light curry
- In French
- Hilsa
- Scientific name
- Tenualosa ilisha
- In the water
- An anadromous fish of the Indian subcontinent, living at sea but migrating up rivers to spawn; it tolerates brackish water.
- Season & buying
- Spawning season varies by river; check origin and local timing.
- Common length
- ~15 cm
- How to identify it
- Silvery body with golden reflections
Strongly keeled belly
Rows of bony scutes along the belly
On the plate
Fat, fragrant and highly prized flesh, with many fine bones.
Avoid: Overcooking: the oily flesh dries and loses its fragrance.
National fish of Bangladesh, celebrated for its spectacular upstream migration.
In Umay recipes
One Umay recipe calls for it.
