Croaker Fish Maw (Datina) Wholesale & Processing Specifications
Comprehensive guide to sourcing Croaker (Sciaenidae / Datina) fish maw: Bay of Bengal landings, open-split vs. whole tube, piece sizing, and export grading.
Biological taxonomy and Bay of Bengal catch origin
Croaker fish maw is harvested from marine teleosts belonging to the Sciaenidae family (locally known in Bangladesh as Datina or Kala Datina). Sourced from the saline depths of the Bay of Bengal, these fish develop dense, thick-walled swim bladders with intense golden clarity.
Processing cuts: Butterfly split vs. cylindrical tube
Processors in Chattogram grade Croaker maw into two primary configurations: 'Butterfly Split' (filleted flat along the belly line for rapid drying and inspection) and 'Natural Tube' (cleaned intact through the esophagus or minimal slit). Butterfly cuts allow thorough visual inspection of inner walls.
Sizing standards and piece weight bands
Wholesale Croaker lots are sorted into strict weight bands: Extra Large (100g–250g+ per piece), Large (60g–100g), Medium (35g–60g), and Small (20g–35g). Lot uniformity is maintained within a ±5g tolerance per carton.
Export packing and container logistics
Packed in 5kg food-grade PE vacuum bags, consolidated into 20kg 5-ply export master cartons. Each container is lined with container desiccants to withstand ocean transit humidity between Chattogram Port and Asian destinations.