Silver Pomfret - White Pomfret - Pampus argenteus - Fish Curry - Culinary Preparations

The silver pomfret or white pomfret (Pampus argenteus) is a species of butterfish found in the Indo-West Pacific, including the Middle East, Eastern Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. Typically silver-white with few small scales, they are weighing between 4–6 kg, but overfishing is leading to more common sightings of fish under 1 kg. Prized for its soft, buttery flesh, the silver pomfret is being listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to overfishing. Its delicious, delicate, and sweet flaky flesh is making it suitable for various culinary preparations such as frying, steaming, and curries. Silver Pomfret is offering health benefits, including heart support from omega-3 fatty acids, healthy vision and skin from vitamins A and E, and immune booster components like B vitamins, selenium, and zinc. As a low-mercury fish, it is a safe seafood option for pregnant women and young children. It is also a high-quality protein and calcium source for strong bones. Here, silver pomfret fish are being cut, fried, and cooked in spicy mustard sauce in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on October 5, 2025. (Footage by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto via Getty Images)