All EOS blogs All Spain blogs  Start your own blog Start your own blog 

IAN & SPAIN

WELCOME TO MY BLOG. HAVING LIVED IN SPAIN FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS I HAVE TRULY MANAGED TO IMMERSE MYSELF IN THE LOCAL CULTURE AND FEEL TOTALLY INTEGRATED. I WILL BE WRITING ABOUT MY PASSION FOR SPANISH FOOD AND DRINK AS WELL AS ITS CULTURE, PEOPLE AND PLACES OF SPECIAL INTEREST. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A COMMENT.

At The Fish Counter - Spanish Fish Names
Saturday, June 8, 2024 @ 11:16 AM

I’ve been in Spain for quite some time now and there has always been an area of language that has always caused me problems, and that is fish. I have real difficulty sometimes translating the names of fish. The funny thing is my knowledge of fish and seafood before I came to Spain was already pretty limited and when I say limited I mean at most I had eaten Cod, Haddock, Lemon Sole, Trout and Plaice maybe a few others and my seafood was limited to Scampi, Mussels and Prawn, so my fish vocab was not extensive. 

 

We were never big fish eaters in my family so when I came to Spain it wasn’t really high on the agenda of things to learn. However over the years I have come to love many varieties of seafood and fish, the majority of which I have discovered here in Spain and consequently learnt the Spanish name first, it wasn’t until a relative came to visit and asked what we were eating that I even thought about the English translation and that happened so rarely that the English names never really sunk in and I still get confused to this day with a few. 

Now, I’m not sure if this is something unique to me but just in case other readers are having difficulty with fish and seafood names, I decided to repost a list of the most common varieties which I put together a while back, which you will come across in Spain quite frequently along with their English equivalent, hope you find it useful!  

I could have done with it a long time ago!! 

 

                         FISH   

 

Anchoa/Boquerón

Anchovy

Anguila Eel
Arenque Herring
Atun Tuna
Bacalao Cod
Bonito Bonito
Caballa Mackerel
Calamar Squid
Carpa Carp
Caviar Caviar
Dorada Gilt Head Bream
Eglefino Haddock
Fletan Halibut
Galupe / Mujol Mullet
Lenguado Sole
Merluza Hake
Mero Grouper
Perca Perch
Pez Espada Marlin/Swordfish
Platija Flounder
Solla Plaice
Pulpo Octopus
Rape Monkfish
Raya Ray / Skate
Rodaballo Turbot
Salmon Salmon
Salmonete Red Mullet
Sardina Sardine
Sepia Cuttlefish
Lubina Sea Bass
Trucha Trout

 

 

                    SEAFOOD

Almejas Clam
Berberechos Cockle
Bogavante Lobster
Buey de Mar Brown Crab
Cangrejo de Rio Crawfish
Carabineros Scarlet Prawn
Centollo Spider Crab
Cigalas Scampi
Erizos de Mar Sea Urchin
Gambas Prawn 
Langosta Spiny Lobster
Langostinos Prawn (large)
Mejillones Mussels
Navajas Razor Clam
Nécoras Small crab
Ostras Oysters
Percebes Gooseneck Barnacles
Pulpo Octopus
Tellinas/ Coquinas Bean Clams
Vieiras Scallop


Like 5




9 Comments


Brian Jackson said:
Saturday, June 8, 2024 @ 5:57 PM

Thanks for that. Very useful.


Kennedy Robertson said:
Sunday, June 9, 2024 @ 7:50 AM

Most interesting fish list.



Rob said:
Sunday, June 9, 2024 @ 9:46 AM

Probably one of the most popular here but doesn’t feature on your list.. Rosada?


Fiona Flores Watson said:
Sunday, June 9, 2024 @ 10:54 AM

Cazón (dogfish) is hugely popular here is Andalucia.


Deswilkinson said:
Sunday, June 9, 2024 @ 11:42 AM

Also very popular are Calamaritos or "baby" squid usually fried in a light batter.


Wanderlust said:
Sunday, June 9, 2024 @ 4:00 PM

Thanks for this. Not only the names being in Spanish, but the difference between fish from the Mediterranean and the Pacific Ocean had me flummoxed when I’d go to the markets in Barcelona. Wish I’d had your list when I lived there!


Jonesey said:
Sunday, June 9, 2024 @ 7:21 PM

An excellent companion to your Meat Cuts info Ian, many thanks....now all we need are a few fish recipes :-)


crostrad said:
Sunday, June 9, 2024 @ 8:21 PM

Ian,we had a copy of the first list that you posted all those years ago when we had the house in Novetle. Used to take it with us to the markets and shops - very useful . Sadly the printed list got left behind when we had to sell the property and come back. I will print this one off and take it with us when we can make a few trips back. Is Bonito tuna


DavidH said:
Sunday, June 9, 2024 @ 9:59 PM

Then there's Calamaria (Squid), and Chipirones (Baby Squid)


Leave a comment

You don't have to be registered to leave a comment but it's quicker and easier if you are (and you also can get notified by email when others comment on the post). Please Sign In or Register now.

Name *
   
Spam protection: 
 
Your comment * (HTML not allowed)
 
 
(Items marked * are required)



 

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More information here. x