Kottayam: Fish varieties that are a regular feature on dining tables are becoming very expensive. The rising prices of popular varieties such as sardines (mathi), mackerel (Ayala), seer fish (vatta) and anchovies (natholi) are putting a considerable strain on household budgets.

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Fishermen say the supply of small fish has declined. Sardines, which were priced at ₹100-150 a kg, have risen to ₹300 in a month. Small sardines are priced at ₹240-250. Mackerel has reached ₹220-240 a kg.

Backwater fish varieties such as kanava (squid), pearl spot (karimeen) and red snapper (chembali) are priced between ₹600 and ₹800 a kg. Squid costs ₹120-140, red snapper ₹180, kilimeen ₹200-220 and prawns ₹300.

Among larger fish, seer fish (neimeen), pomfret (aavoli) and modha (black king fish) are the most expensive. Seer fish is priced at ₹1,000 a kg. Pomfret costs ₹600-800, while modha is priced between ₹700 and ₹750. The price of pomfret, which was ₹650 a kg the other day, has now risen to ₹800.

Fish availability is usually expected to be higher between June and September. However, climate change is believed to have affected the breeding of small fish.

Viral reels bring down prices of vatta fish

Fish vendors say widespread social media posts and reels claiming that the sea was witnessing a bumper catch have caused confusion among consumers.

Fears that fish brought in from other states are being treated with chemicals have also discouraged people from buying fish. As a result, sales of vatta fish have declined. Its price has fallen from ₹250 to ₹100 a kg.