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Tilefish

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description Tilefish Overview

Tilefish are marine fishes in the family Malacanthidae, found in tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Many species live near the seafloor and excavate burrows or shelter in rubble, behavior that distinguishes them from many other commercially harvested fishes. Several species, including golden tilefish, support fisheries, although large individuals can accumulate enough mercury to prompt consumption advisories.

help Tilefish FAQ

Is tilefish high in mercury?

It depends on the source: the US FDA lists tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico on its "do not eat" list for pregnant women because of high mercury levels, alongside shark, swordfish, and king mackerel. Tilefish from the Atlantic average considerably lower, so knowing the origin matters.

What does tilefish taste like?

Golden tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps), the main commercial species, has mild, sweet, firm flesh with large flakes often compared to lobster or crab. That sweetness is commonly attributed to its diet, which is heavy in crustaceans.

Why do tilefish live in burrows on the seafloor?

Tilefish, in family Malacanthidae, excavate burrows or shelter in rubble near the seafloor across tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. This burrow-dwelling behavior concentrates them in patchy habitats on the continental shelf.

Where is tilefish caught in the United States?

The main US fisheries are along the Atlantic coast, especially the Mid-Atlantic states, with additional catches in the Gulf of Mexico. Golden tilefish are typically taken by longline gear over the clay bottoms where they build their burrows.

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