False Trevally Fish ( Parava fish in Malayalam)

False Trevally ( Parava Fish Fry)

 The False Trevally (scientific name: Lactarius lactarius) is called "false" not because it is fake or inferior, but because it resembles a true trevally (family Carangidae) in shape and behavior — but it doesn't actually belong to the same fish family.

 Here's why it's called False Trevally:

Superficial resemblance:

It looks like a trevally — with a similar silver body, compressed shape, and fast-swimming habits.

Different family:

False trevally belongs to the family Lactariidae, not Carangidae like true trevallies (e.g., Giant Trevally, Bigeye Trevally).

"False" means lookalike, not fake:

In zoological naming, “false” is often used for species that mimic or resemble another, but are taxonomically different.

 Local Names & Culinary Use:

In Trivandrum, it’s known as parava. The meat of the fish is soft and cooks very fast. So, while making a gravy, make sure you keep it on medium or low flame.

This is slightly expensive fish in Trivandrum. It's good for frying, curry, or steaming.

So, “False Trevally” simply means: "Not a true trevally, but looks like one."