Land of tandoori butter chicken hooks a taste for boneless fish.
And for farmers, it's a high-yield, fast-turnover crop that's reshaping the economic landscape of fish farming.
"Punjabis generally avoid fish with bones or spikes," said Dr Meera D Ansal, dean of the College of Fisheries at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Gadvasu). "Traditional fish like Singhara, Mali and Sohl are seasonal, hard to farm, and full of bones. That's where Pangas fits the bill."
With its neutral flavour, boneless texture, and rapid growth cycle, Pangas is ideally suited for the Punjabi palate — and the Punjabi farm.
Already popular in southern India, the catfish is now being grown across 60 acres in Punjab by 25-odd farmers, producing nearly 500 tonnes annually and cutting the state's dependence on frozen imports from Andhra Pradesh.
The shift is part of a larger evolution in Punjab's aquaculture story.
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From 52,000 tonnes of fish production in 2000, the state now produces nearly 2 lakh tonnes, with 70% of that coming from farmed rather than captured fish. All of it is consumed within the state. Punjab's 44,000 acres of aquaculture land are still largely dominated by carp species like Rohu, Mrigal, Catla, and Grass Carp — mostly consumed by migrant communities — but Pangas is fast catching up.
What makes Pangas stand out is its efficiency.
It delivers 7-8 tonnes per cycle in about eight months — nearly three times the yield of traditional carps — while using less water and requiring less space. It can even be farmed indoors using biofloc, RAS (recirculating aquaculture systems), and other controlled methods, making it ideal for water-scarce regions or land-locked farmers. "The farming of Pangas within Punjab means access to fresh, preservative-free fish for local consumers," Dr Ansal said.
"We're also promoting value-added products like fish fillets, fingers, balls, keema, pickles and protein powder, which open new markets and increase farmer profits."
With growing concerns over pollution in natural rivers, the controlled farming of Pangas presents a safer and more sustainable option for health-conscious consumers. Its high protein content and easy digestibility also make it a strong candidate for inclusion in nutritional programmes.
Still, the journey isn't without its challenges. Pangas does not spawn naturally during winter, and Punjab currently relies on seed stock from other states.
Gadvasu now invests in hatchery and broodstock research to develop local seed supply and close the loop on production. "We're working towards year-round availability with the help of cold storage and processing infrastructure," Dr Ansal said. "With the right govt support, Pangas could go from a niche choice to a Punjabi staple."
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