Tardoore Fish in Marathi (Pedi) – Scientific Name, Indian Names and Uses

Tardoore fish (Opisthopterus tardoore), locally called Pedi in Maharashtra

 

What Is Tardoore Fish?

Tardoore is a marine and brackish-water fish belonging to the Pristigasteridae family. Its scientific name is Opisthopterus tardoore. It is also commonly known as Long-finned Herring.

The Malvan fish identification guide records its Marathi name as Pedi (पेडी).

This fish has an elongated, strongly compressed body, a projecting lower jaw and a long anal fin. It is found in coastal waters and can also enter estuaries.

Tardoore Fish Names in Indian Languages

Language	Recorded name
English	Tardoore / Long-finned Herring
Marathi	Pedi (पेडी)
Gujarati	Kati
Tamil	Thalari, Thota, Poovalai
Telugu	Katti-chapulu
Kannada	Ambattike
Malayalam	Ambatta
Odia	Sana Bajra / Luni Paniakhia

Pedi is recorded in the Malvan guide. FishBase lists the additional regional names, while the ICAR-CIFRI Chilika fish guide records Sana Bajra and Luni Paniakhia as Odia names. Regional names can vary between fishing communities.

Scientific Classification of Tardoore

Classification	Details
Common name	Tardoore
Alternative name	Long-finned Herring
Scientific name	Opisthopterus tardoore
Family	Pristigasteridae
Order	Clupeiformes
Genus	Opisthopterus
Marathi name	Pedi

Taxonomy note: Your Malvan guide places this fish under Clupeidae. Current FishBase and ITIS records classify it under Pristigasteridae. The accepted scientific spelling is Opisthopterus tardoore.

How to Identify Tardoore Fish

Tardoore has an elongated and strongly compressed body. Its belly is rounded towards the front and has a sharp keel formed by small scales called scutes.

Its main identification features include:

• An elongated, narrow body.

• A strongly compressed body shape.

• A rounded anterior belly with a sharp keel of scutes.

• An upper-positioned mouth.

• A projecting lower jaw.

• A small dorsal fin positioned far back on the body.

• Pectoral fins with 12–14 rays.

• No pelvic fins.

• A long anal fin.

• A blue-green or grey back with silvery sides.

These features help distinguish Tardoore from other herring-like coastal fish.

Habitat and Distribution

Tardoore occurs in marine and brackish-water environments. It is found in coastal waters and can enter estuaries.

FishBase records its distribution in the Indo-West Pacific, including the western and southern Indian coasts. It is also reported from the Hooghly estuary and Chilika region.

What Does Tardoore Eat?

Tardoore feeds on small aquatic organisms, including:

• Mysids

• Copepods and copepod eggs

• Small prawns and other crustaceans

• Bivalve eggs and larvae

• Amphipods

• Small fishes

These organisms form part of its natural diet in coastal and estuarine ecosystems.

Is Tardoore Fish Used for Food?

The Malvan guide records that Tardoore is sold fresh or dried. Damaged fish may be sold as trash fish.

FishBase also records its use for fish meal or fertiliser. Its commercial importance can vary depending on location, fish size and market demand.

Difference Between Kelee Shad and Tardoore

Both Kelee Shad and Tardoore are listed as Pedi in the Malvan fish guide, but they are different species.

Feature	Kelee Shad	Tardoore
Scientific name	Hilsa kelee	Opisthopterus tardoore
Marathi name	Pedi	Pedi
Body	Fairly deep and compressed	Elongated and strongly compressed
Mouth	Noted for its characteristic body and spot pattern	Upper-positioned mouth with projecting lower jaw
Market use	Fresh, dried and fish balls	Fresh or dried

Always use the scientific name when comparing these fish, as the same local name may be used for different species.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Tardoore called in Marathi?

Tardoore is called Pedi in the Malvan fish identification guide.

2. What is the scientific name of Tardoore?

Its scientific name is Opisthopterus tardoore.

3. Is Tardoore the same as Kelee Shad?

No. Tardoore is Opisthopterus tardoore, while Kelee Shad is Hilsa kelee. Both are recorded as Pedi in the Malvan guide.

4. Where is Tardoore found?

It occurs in coastal marine and brackish waters, including estuaries.

5. Is Tardoore edible?

The Malvan guide records it as being sold fresh or dried.

Conclusion

Tardoore (Opisthopterus tardoore), locally called Pedi in the Malvan region, is an elongated coastal fish with a compressed body, projecting lower jaw and long anal fin. It occurs in marine and brackish-water habitats and feeds on small crustaceans, planktonic organisms and small fishes. It is marketed fresh or dried. Its scientific name is particularly important because Tardoore shares the local name Pedi with Kelee Shad.