Sea bass and basa fish – two names that sound quite similar. But are they actually the same fish? As it turns out, basa fish and sea bass belong to completely different species and families of fish.
What is Basa Fish?
Basa fish also known as pangasius swai, and river cobbler, is a type of freshwater catfish native to Southeast Asia. Its scientific name is Pangasius bocourti.
Despite not being a true bass, basa fish is sometimes marketed as “sea bass” due to its mild flavor and flaky white flesh that bears some resemblance to sea bass. However, make no mistake – basa is not at all related to the over 500 species of fish commonly known as sea bass.
What is Sea Bass?
The name “sea bass” is a broad term used to describe several species of fish found primarily in warmer coastal waters and rivers. True sea bass belong to the family Moronidae, which includes fish like the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), striped bass, and white bass.
Some other fish that are sometimes marketed as sea bass include:
- Chillean sea bass (Patagonian toothfish)
- Black sea bass
- Spotted sea bass (spotted cabrilla)
So while the labeling can be confusing, true sea bass are saltwater fish unrelated to freshwater basa.
Differences Between Basa and Sea Bass
While basa may stand in for sea bass in some dishes, there are quite a few differences between these very unrelated types of fish:
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Habitat: Basa are a freshwater species found in rivers and farmed inland. True sea bass live in coastal marine waters.
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Biology: Basa are a type of catfish while sea bass belong to the wreckfish/grouper family. Their anatomy, lifespan, diet, and reproductive behavior differ.
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Appearance: Basa have a smooth, pale gray skin and a long dorsal fin. Sea bass have scales, vary more in color, and have two separate dorsal fins.
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Texture: Basa have a fine, flaky texture. Sea bass have firmer flesh with larger flakes.
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Taste: Basa have a very mild, subtle flavor. True sea bass have a stronger, brinier taste.
So despite some textural and culinary similarities, basa and sea bass are quite different fish!
Is Basa Fish Healthy to Eat?
Like other white fish, basa is high in protein, low in fat, and rich in nutrients like vitamin B12, selenium, and niacin. However, there are some health and safety concerns to consider with imported basa fish:
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Potential for contamination and foodborne illness if not handled properly, as basa are often farmed in crowded, unsanitary conditions.
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May contain antibiotic or pesticide residues that exceed safe limits, though thorough cooking helps reduce the risk.
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Lower in heart-healthy omega-3s than other fish like salmon and tuna.
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Questions over whether farmed basa fish contains higher levels of pollutants than wild fish.
Overall, eating U.S-farmed or sustainably wild-caught basa fish occasionally can be a healthy option as part of a balanced diet. But there may be safer, more nutritious fish choices to regularly consume.
Uses for Basa Fish
In regions of Southeast Asia where basa fish is native, it is often used in soups, curries and fish sauces.
In Europe and North America, basa is popular as an inexpensive option for:
- Fish fillets and fish sticks
- Fried fish sandwiches
- Fish tacos or burritos
- Grilled, baked or blackened fish entrees
Basa works well as a mild, inexpensive substitute for cod, haddock, halibut, or sole. Its texture makes it suitable for frying, baking, or grilling.
The Takeaway
While the names sound similar, basa and sea bass are completely different types of fish. Basa is a catfish native to Southeast Asian rivers, while sea bass refers to saltwater fish from the wreckfish family. They differ in appearance, texture, flavor, habitat and biology.
Basa fish can be a budget-friendly alternative to true sea bass, but has some health and contamination concerns. Overall, basa should only be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy, varied seafood intake.
Catfish Wars and Basa Safety
US and Vietnamese catfish farmers are still in the middle of the “catfish wars.” A lot of claims have been made that the Basa and Swai fish are polluted and poisonous. Amit Pal, a graduate student at Mississippi State and professor of food science and technology, and Doug Marshall, a professor of the same, did their own study. He looked at three things: did one have more bacteria than the other? Was it healthier? If so, how did it taste?
The frozen imports were compared to frozen, farm-raised channel catfish from local grocery stores. “Both fish were about the same in terms of quality and safety indicators,” Marshall said. Also, nutritionally, both fish were about the same, though the US fish were a bit fattier” he said.
In another article dated 2001 a group of U.S. catfish farmers and processors traveled to Vietnam on a fact-finding mission. “We thought we’d find them growing fish in polluted water and processing them in crude plants,” says one processor who went on the trip. “But that’s not what we found. We came back scared to death.”
A highly inflammatory video regarding Basa farming is popular on YouTube. I believe that much of this video is propaganda to keep Americans buying US catfish. I like to buy American goods, but I don’t think all Vietnamese aqua farmers raise fish in sewage and that the US lets them dump their dirty fish into our food system. Have you been to see the health inspector lately? Do you really think they would let fish that have been contaminated with sewage into the country? Someone is lying.
Bottom line–know and trust your vendor and supplier. It could be a company like Sysco that sells Swai from the Mekong River. They have a $1 million insurance policy to protect their customers from the effects of bad food. They are not going to buy something that is bad for them, deadly, poisonous, polluted, or could get them sued in some other way.
Follow David Buchanan on Google + David Buchanan is a professional chef and author of Chefs-Resources.com, a site geared towards providing chefs and culinarians useful info to help in their kitchens.
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Basa Fish Butchering Yield Percentage and Recovery
| Item | To Skin/On Fillets | To Skin/Off Fillets | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Head/Off gutted | na | 40% | If you have yield info on this fish please comment below. |
Range & HabitatBasa fish are found throughout Southeast Asia, but are especially known to be farmed along the Mekong River, Vietnam. Basa which is exported to the US is farmed. |
Fillets skin/off, boneless, fresh or frozen.
| Name | Alternate Names | Catch Method | Where Caught | Seafood Watch | Ocean Wise | Sea Choice | Mercury Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basa | Tra, Vietnamese Catfish, Mekong Catfish, Pacific Dory, Bocourti, China Sole, White Roughy, Royal Basa, Pangas, River Cobbler, Swai | Farmed | Vietnam, Cambodia | ||||
 = Best Choice/Recommended  = Good Alternative  = Avoid/Not Recommended Updated Jan 2013 |
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In the United States, Channel Catfish (the predominant catfish cultivated in the US) is considered the Best Choice. Although Basa is considered a sustainable resource, there are some ecological concerns about the way it is managed.
Nutritional Informationbased upon a 6 oz (171 grams) raw edible serving.
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DANGEROUS FISH named “BASA FISH”
FAQ
Does basa taste like sea bass?
What is another name for basa?
What is another name for a sea bass?
Which fish is closest to sea bass?
Is Basa a catfish?
Basa ( Pangasius bocourti) is a species of catfish in the family Pangasiidae. Basa are native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins in Mainland Southeast Asia. These fish are important as a food source, and also on the international market. They are often labelled in North America and Australia as “basa fish”, “swai”, or “bocourti”.
What is basa fish?
Basa fish is a type of catfish native to Southeast Asia. Its low cost — even when imported — makes it is a popular fish across the world. Like other types of white fish, basa is low in calories and rich in high-quality protein. A 4.5-ounce (126-gram) serving provides ( 1 ):
What does a basa fish look like?
The body of the basa is stout and heavy. The rounded head is broader than it is long, with the blunt snout having a white band on its muzzle. This species grows to a maximum length of 120 centimetres (47 in). Basa fish feed on plants.
Where do basa fish live?
Native to Southeast Asia, the basa fish – scientifically known as Pangasius bocourti – primarily inhabit the Mekong River basin in countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Being a freshwater fish, basa typically inhabit deep, swift-flowing rivers with plenty of hiding spaces among rocks and fallen trees.