Hawaiian Salmon (Saafi)

Buy Fresh Hawaiian Salmon online in pakistan at Dfresh Seafood, We deliver only daily fresh, wild‑caught seafood. No old stock is kept; every order is purchased fresh after you place it. With cash on delivery in Karachi and Lahore, and nationwide delivery across Pakistan, we guarantee premium quality and trusted service.

Introduction

The Hawaiian Salmon is a strikingly colored fish belonging to the Carangidae family (jacks). Despite its name, it is not a true salmon. Instead, its flavor and texture closely resemble jack species, offering a firm bite and a mildly robust taste.

Unlike major commercial species such as Tuna, Red Snapper, Pomfret, or King Mackerel, Hawaiian Salmon is not widely harvested. Nevertheless, it remains highly prized as a valuable bycatch, appreciated for its unique flavor, rarity, and premium quality.

Flavor Profile

The Hawaiian Salmon (Saafi) is often misunderstood in Pakistan due to its name. Many assume it tastes like Norwegian Salmon, but in reality, it belongs to the Carangidae family (jacks) and its flavor is closer to Amberjack and Trevally species.

Its flesh is firm with a mildly robust taste, making it highly enjoyable to eat. Moreover, it is versatile in cooking  perfect for frying, fish biryani, and curries

Nomenclature

English Name: Hawaiian Salmon, Rainbow Runner, Spanish Jack
Local Name: Safi (Sindhi), Sanpo (Balochi)
Scientific Name: Elagatis bipinnulata

Habitat

The Hawaiian Salmon (Saafi) occurs in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, giving it a circumtropical distribution. Moreover, in the Arabian Sea, it is commonly seen near the surface above reefs and sometimes far from the coast around floating logs or debris.

This species often forms schools that range from a few individuals to several hundred. Consequently, it is considered a highly migratory fish, moving across wide areas of open water throughout its life cycle.

Catching Method

The Hawaiian Salmon (Saafi) is usually caught as a bycatch while targeting larger pelagic species, but fishermen also use methods such as trolling, jigging, drift fishing, and chumming. It responds well to live bait like sardines or squid, and is often found near reefs, floating debris, or in open waters where it forms schools. These techniques make it easier to catch this fast‑swimming, migratory fish.

Physical Attributes

They are among the beautiful fish of the Arabian Sea.  Silvery-yellow, dark olive green to blue above and white below. Two narrow light blue or bluish-white stripes along the sides, with a broader olive or yellow stripe between them. The fins have an olive or yellow tint. Rear dorsal and anal fins have a serrated appearance

Color

On average, the size range is  500 gm to 2 kg per fish. However, other sizes are also occasionally available.

Size

This preferred to be cut as slices, and boneless fillet

Cutting Preferences

This fish is preferred to be cut as Whole, Gutted, and Headless.

Approx. Cutting Yields

Whole:  100 %
Gutted:  80 %
Headless and Gutted: 60 %
Slices: 60 %
Boneless: 40 %

Cooking Preferences

The Hawaiian Salmon can fit any type of culinary requirement including sashimi. It is a firm-fleshed fish suitable for marinating and grilling. Most importantly it is perfectly suitable for making fish kebabs and tikkas for parties however, it should not be overcooked so that the taste and texture can be retained.

Health Benefits

The Hawaiian Salmon (Saafi) is a highly nutritious fish, rich in lean protein, omega‑3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that support heart health, strengthen immunity, and improve brain function. It is low in saturated fat compared to red meat, while providing essential nutrients such as Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, selenium, and iodine, which help maintain strong bones, boost energy, and support overall wellbeing.

For more information on the nutritional value and health benefits of seafood Vist Seafood Nutrition.

Similar Fishes

AmberJack

Mahi Mahi