• Wild-caught, low-trophic pelagic/neritic fish — naturally lean, no farming inputs
• Uniform small size (typically 75–200 g, 10–20 cm) ideal for portion-controlled frying and food-service packs
• High plate yield as a whole-fish item; mild flavor carries marinades and sauces well
• Affordable protein — cost-effective alternative to premium pomfrets for fried/processed lines
• Stable supply from Fujian / South China Sea seasonal catch, year-round via cold-chain
• Clean freeze at -18 °C locks freshness; optional IQF keeps pieces separated for repacking

• Deep-fried whole (油炸) — the classic street-food and banquet prep; crisp skin, tender meat
• Steamed / braised (清蒸 / 酱焖) with soy, scallion and aromatics
• Breaded or battered frozen value-added line for QSR and retail
• Salt-cured / dried (咸干) traditional preservation and snack formats
• Food service & processing: sold loose frozen, in count-graded cartons, or as an ingredient in mixed packs

• Food safety: HACCP, BRC, ISO 22000, HALAL, FDA, EU Reg. (EC) 853/2004
• Sustainability (source-matched): MSC applicable for certified wild fisheries; ASC / BAP / GLOBALG.A.P. NOT applicable — Mene maculata is wild-caught, not farmed. Do not label it with养殖 (aquaculture) schemes meant for species like 金鲳 (Trachinotus).

• Temperature: maintain -18 °C or below throughout cold chain
• Shelf life: 24 months from production when unbroken cold chain is held
• Pack: IQF or block frozen; 10 kg / 20 kg poly-lined master cartons; private-label available
• MOQ: 1,000 kg per specification (mixed container loads negotiable)

Q1. Is "Knife Pomfret" always the same fish? How do I make sure I get the right one? A. No. Knife Pomfret most often means Mene maculata (Moonfish, Menidae) in the Fujian/export trade, but the name is also used for Drepane spp. (鸡笼鲳, Drepaneidae). They differ in family, body shape (knife-blade vs diamond), fin shape and bone structure. Always write Mene maculata on the spec and PO; request a photo or sample if a supplier's "Knife Pomfret" looks diamond-bodied with sickle pectorals — that is Drepane, not Mene.

Q2. Is this fish farmed? Which sustainability label applies? A. Mene maculata is wild-caught, so MSC is the relevant wild-fishery certification (where the source fishery is certified). ASC, BAP and GLOBALG.A.P. do not apply — those are aquaculture schemes. This is unlike 金鲳 (Trachinotus), which IS farmed and uses ASC/BAP. Mixing the two up on a certificate is a compliance error.

Q3. Whole, gutted, or fillet — and how is it frozen? A. Standard supply is frozen whole round (HOSO). Gutted (去脏, head-on gutted) is available for longer shelf stability. Fillets are possible but uncommon given the fine bones. Small fish freeze well as IQF (separated) or block frozen; IQF is recommended if you repack or blend into mixed seafood.

Q4. How is Knife Pomfret size-graded? A. By count per kg (e.g. 8–12 pcs/kg, 10–16 pcs/kg, 16–24 pcs/kg) or by length. Confirm the grade on the PO — grade drives both price and which cooking format (whole fry vs steam) the buyer targets.

Q5. Is Knife Pomfret the same as pomfret (鲳, Pampus) or golden pomfret (金鲳)? A. No. True pomfrets are Pampus spp. (Stromateidae) and golden pomfret is Trachinotus spp. (Carangidae) — different families with different texture, fat content and price. Mene maculata is Menidae, thinner, bonier and lower-priced. Buyers should not substitute one for the other; the Latin name is the only reliable anchor.

Q6. What HS code applies to frozen Knife Pomfret? A. Frozen whole (HOSO or gutted, head-on) → HS 0303.89 (other fish, frozen). Frozen fillets → HS 0304.89 (other fish fillets, frozen). It is not salmon/tilapia/catfish/tuna, so it falls in the "other" subheadings. Provide form (whole vs fillet) to your broker for the correct declaration.