It is a popular game fish, growing up to 45 kg (99 lb), and is a strong fighter that has on occasion been seen to leap out of the water when hooked.

It is popular among the countries of the Indian subcontinent including peninsular India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh,Iran and Pakistan.

[citation needed] Seer fish is a delicacy in several regions of India.

In the Konkan Division of coastal Maharashtra, the Marathi word for the fish is Surmāi, while in Goan Konkani it is called Visvonn or Isvonn.

In coastal Karnataka, especially in the erstwhile South Canara district, they are called Anjal.