Basa fish comes under the Pangasiidae family, and it is a type of catfish. Mainland Southeast Asia’s Chao Phraya and Mekong basins are the natives of basa fish. This species has a significant market value in the international market and is consumed as an essential food. In Australia and North America, basa is also famous as Bocourti and swai.
Generally, basa fish has a heavy, stout body with a broad, rounded head. Basa fish has a muzzle with a white band and blunt snout. The maximum length of this species is 47 inches or approximately 120 meters.

From the article below, you can collect so much information about basa fish, like – basa fish in Marathi, its cost, nutritional value, health benefits of basa fish, types, availability, and popularity in the local areas, and many more.
English name | Basa fish |
Marathi name | Sheelan |
Scientific name | Pangasius Bocourti |
Kingdom | Animalia |
Species | P.bocourti |
Class | Actinopterygii |
Phylum | Chordata |
Family | Pangasiidae |
Order | Siluriformes |
Genus | Pangasius |
Basa fish in Marathi name
Sheelan is the Marathi name for basa fish. Another famous name for this mild and sweet flavored fish is Pangasius fish. Although most people can recognize this fish by its name, basa, if you are in a typical Marathi area or a local fish market, you have to ask them for Sheelan.
You can use its familiar name if you come to the city area and go to a restaurant to eat basa fish. Most importantly, Maharashtrian restaurant’s menu has so many delicious basa fish recipes that you can order and enjoy its delicacy and great taste.
Health benefits of basa fish
1. It helps to maintain and lose weight
Generally, basa fish contains high nutrient values and low calories. The nutrients like protein make basa fish a fantastic food choice for maintaining a desired weight. If you want to lose weight, add basa fish to your daily diet. The protein in basa fish helps keep you full for an extended period. It helps to shed fat and boost metabolism by promoting the growth of muscles.
2. Basa fish helps promote a healthy heart
Basa fish contains good fat and omega – 3 fatty acids. You can count these fatty acids ( EPA – eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA – docosahexaenoic acid ) as essential nutrients your body needs but cannot prepare by itself. They play a vital role in protecting the health of your heart. According to some studies, omega-3 fatty acid helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Due to these facts, the risks of several heart diseases may reduce.
3. It helps protect the brain’s health
Vitamins D, B2, and B12 are essential vitamins that basa fish contains. Myelin sheaths help maintain brain functions and protect nerve and blood cells. Vitamin B12 in basa fish plays a vital role in creating myelin sheaths. According to some surveys, vitamin B12 positively affects memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease. It also helps supply or provide blood ( more oxygen ) to the brain’s cells.
4. It helps to keep the bone more vital and healthy
White fish, including basa, is high in potassium, vitamin D, and calcium. They help to decrease osteoporosis risks and support the bones to be healthy and strong.
5. You can consume basa to fulfill protein requirements
A high amount of protein in high quality is present in basa fish. So basa fish can provide all the needed vital amino acids to the human body. You can get approximately 13 grams of protein from 100 grams of basa fish. Protein helps to create body cells as well as can repair damaged ones. It also helps to form a foundation for muscles and tissues. It overall helps to fit the whole body. The protein content is vital for pregnant women, young adults, and children.
6. Basa fish has less carbohydrate content
Basa fish lacks carbohydrate content because it is an animal food. Those who want to lose weight can intake basa fish for this reason. You can consume this weight loss ideal food for lunch or a meal. You don’t feel sleepy or lethargic by consuming basa fish. It makes you energized for the whole day.
7. It is beneficial for those who suffer from Asthma
No confirmation consuming basa fish can cure Asthma. But according to a study on mice suffering from Asthma, basa fish consumption for a long time can shape the communities of colonic bacteria. It also helps to aggravate pulmonary inflammation in the case of the same mice. More studies are required to prove the benefits of basa fish on asthmatic humans.
8. Contribution of Basa fish on longevity
Basa fish contains omega-3 fatty acids. It helps decrease several heart diseases like heart attack, stroke, and brain stroke. According to other research, people with high levels of omega-3 fatty acidscan live more than 2 to 3 years than those with less fatty acids.
9. It provides necessary minerals
Potassium and zinc are essential minerals the human body needs. Basa fish contains both potassium and zinc in high quantities. These two minerals help heal the injured tissues, boost immunity power, and regulate the balance of electrolytes in the human body.
Side effects of basa fish
Although basa fish provides so many health benefits, there are also some health risks you can identify. As water sources are the living places of fishes, they come into contact with some harmful chemicals and intake them. Sometimes you can find mercury and PCBs in the fish, which are toxic chemicals. By eating them, there are several diseases may develop in your body. It can harm your brain, heart, and nervous system.
Except for this problem, you have to cook basa fish carefully. Because it may have some toxins in it, so cook it on high flame. Otherwise, it may be harmful to the nervous system and brain.Â
Nutritional value of basa fish
Basa fish has all most the same nutritional value as other white fish. Whitefish, including basa fish, has high better-quality protein content and low calories.
The nutritional values you can get from a 100 grams basa fish serving are –
Calories | 90 kcal |
Fat | 4 grams |
Saturated fat | 1.5 grams |
Cholesterol | 45 mg |
Protein | 13 grams |
Sodium | 50 mg |
Carbohydrates | 0 grams. |
In addition, Basa fish also contains an eye-catching amount of EPA and DHA, which are essential omega – 3 fatty acids. EPA and DHA play a critical role in decreasing irregular heartbeat and maintaining the heart in its healthy form. Omega 3 fatty acids are also known as myopathies and arrhythmias.
Cost of basa fish in Marathi areas
You can buy 1 kg of basa fish by spending approximately Rs 200 to Rs 350 in India. The cost is very reasonable for everyone. The cause of the low price is its easy availability. It’s farming, and production cost is meager.
Generally, basa fish is available in so many different options of packaging like carton boxes, plastic crates, thermocol boxes, vacuumed packs, etc. the cost of basa fish may vary according to the quality, form, packaging, buying area, etc.
If you want to save money, you can prefer an online basa fish fillet.
Popularity and availability of basa fish in Marathi-telling areas in India ( Maharastra, Madhya Pradesh, surat, etc.)
The mother tongue of the Maharashratian people is Marathi. They use Marathi as their official language. Sheelan or basa fish is trendy among Indian people, including those in Maharashtra, because of the no-fishy smell and its delicious white meat. Due to its firm texture and mild taste, people love to eat it.
One of the best freshwater fish is basa fish. You can find basa fish throughout the year in sufficient amounts. The region you can discover basa or sheelan in India are – Orissa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. According to its mild and sweet flavor, it is also known as Pangasius.
There is no insufficiency of basa fish you can find in India, including Maharashtra.
Famous dishes of Basa fish in Marathi areas


As you know, basa is a versatile fish, and you can enhance its aroma by adding some Indian spices. So many famous Indian restaurants give basa fish recipes because of their easy availability, reasonable price, and popularity.
Some popular basa fish recipes are – Indian-style basa fish curry, basa fish tawa fry, pan-fried basa fish, spicy baked basa fillet, lemon pepper basa fish, spicy grilled basa fish, and many more.
Conclusion
Non-vegetarian people can adopt fish as a healthy option to fulfill their protein requirement. Basa fish is full of essential micronutrients and good-quality protein. The main food of basa is fish plants. Approximately 4 feet is the maximum length of basa fish. Due to its great flavor and pocket-friendly price, basa fish is essential in the international market. You need to consume it once a week to get all its benefits.
In the last few years, you can see a significant growth in the demand and popularity of basa fish. The variety of basa fish harvested in India is known as Indian basa. This fish can keep the human brain and heart healthy.
Hope you can get all the information about basa fish from the above article, like – basa fish in Marathi name, its cost, health benefits, nutritional value, recipes, availability, and popularity of Basa fish in the local area, and many more.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest procedure for eating basa fish?
You can eat fried, steamed, or pan-fried basa fish. To give it a rich flavor and enhance its taste, you can cook it with Indian spices. You have to cook basa fish properly till its rawness disappears. It would help to cook basa fish on high heat to remove impurities and toxins. You can eat basa fish twice a week to get its benefits.
Should you eat basa fish to lose weight?
As you know, basa fish is low in fat but contains high-quality protein in high amounts. Those people who want to decrease their calorie intake and lose weight can add basa fish to their diet. It helps to avoid the deposition of excessive body fat ( generally around the stomach, thighs, and hip area ). You can consult your dietician to know the proper portion of basa fish you can consume according to your weight.
Is basa fish cost-worthy?
It is effortless to grow basa fish in any situation and water source. You can feed it plants and thrive in contaminated water sources. Low-budget farmers can grow basa fish with less maintenance, effort, and budget. It doesn’t need any special care. Its availability makes it cheaper. As per its taste, nutritional value, and health benefits, it is worth its price.
What are the health benefits of basa fish?
Basa fish contains high protein, omega-3 fatty acids ( EPA, DHA ), and good fats. Generally, basa fish is low in sodium. It helps to maintain brain and heart health, build muscle mass, manage weight, and regulate blood pressure.Â
1. It helps to low down several heart disease risks.
2. It is full of high-quality protein.
3. It contains low calories and carbohydrates.
4. You can lose weight by adding basa to your diet.
5. It is beneficial for asthmatic patients.
6. It helps to keep the brain and heart healthy.
7. It contains various beneficial nutrients
What are the other names of basa fish?
Basa fish comes under the family Pangasiidae. Pangasius bocourti is its scientific name. Some of its famous names worldwide are – Swai, River Cobbler, Pangasius, and Vietnamese cobbler.