Titus fish also known as mackerel is a popular type of fish consumed worldwide. A favourite in Nigeria, the emergence of a ‘fake Titus’ in the market however has been a source of concern to lovers of the fish.
Belonging to the family of Scombridae, there are over 30 different species of this fish.
Food blogger and content creator, Tspices Kitchen has shared a thread on how to differentiate the two types of Titus fish. She revealed that the one largely called ‘fake’ is actually a different species which is called Scomber Scrombus while the species commonly known as the ‘real’ Titus is Atlantic Mackerel.
She also shared 3 distinct features that differentiate the two.
1) The Head
The original Titus Fish has a small head, smaller Eyeballs, with a long pointed snout compared to the other ‘fake’ one.
2) The Belly
The original Titus fish is clear, pure white, and shiny with no spots. The other one has Spots all over it, it is bigger & longer in length too.
3) Line Pattern
The Pattern of the Original Fish is wavy and comes with very sharp, deep black stripes unlike the other one with pale dotted lines.
Read the full thread below
The truth is.. Like @DrK_CVO rightly said… there’s nothing like original or Fake ‘Titus Fish’ .
We one we call fake is just a different specie call Scomber Japonicus while the regular one we like is known as Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber Scrombus) pic.twitter.com/77jE3j4oOs
— Tspices Kitchen (@Tspiceskitchen) May 6, 2020
Nigerians call the Sweet Mackerel specie ‘Titus’ and the other one ‘Kampala’ (not Panla)
I don’t know how Nigerians got to the name ‘Titus’ because ‘Titus’ is actually the brand name for the Mackerel fish packaged in cans, which we also call Sardine…?♀️
But this is Nigerian ? pic.twitter.com/EMvJA2f2Io
— Tspices Kitchen (@Tspiceskitchen) May 6, 2020
Ok..enough of the ‘Shalaye’ ?
These 3 distinct features will help you differentiate both quickly.
1) The Head: The original Fish has a small head, smaller Eyeballs, with a long pointed snout compared to the other one.
Kampala’s head is big in an unsexy way ?
L.. ❌R.. ✔️ pic.twitter.com/k6rRCsYGhO
— Tspices Kitchen (@Tspiceskitchen) May 6, 2020
3) Line Pattern: the Pattern of the Original Fish is wavy and comes with a very sharp, deep black stripes…
Unlike the other one with pale dotted lines.
R.. FAKE
L..Original pic.twitter.com/3xJmw08Slc— Tspices Kitchen (@Tspiceskitchen) May 6, 2020