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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical

Ocean whitefish

Caulolatilus princeps Jenyns, 1840
Max Length
102 cm
Max Weight
5.8 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.6
Depth
10–91 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
64.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Inhabits rocky bottoms . Also found on soft sand and mud bottoms. Solitary species. Digs into the substrate for food .

Scientific Name
Caulolatilus princeps
Authority
Jenyns, 1840
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
102 cm
Max Weight
5.8 kg
Depth Range
10–91 m
Latitude
18°S – 51°N
Trophic Level
3.6
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
64.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24 - 25; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 23. : elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Ocean whitefish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 91 m , usually 24 - 55 m . Subtropical; 51°N - 18°S, 129°W - 70°W north of central California, USA.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.6±0.45
🧍 Solitary

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00708 × L3.07 (TL)
Max TL
102cm
Max Weight
5,800g
Dorsal Spines
9
Dorsal Rays
25
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
23

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2007

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
64.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Latitude Range
51°N – 18°S
Described By
Jenyns, 1840

🎣 Angling Guide

Difficulty
Beginner
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Line Weight
15-30
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Hook Size
2/0-5/0
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing popping cork soft plastics live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp cut mullet soft plastic paddle-tails popping corks
Recommended Tackle
  • medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
  • 30-50 lb braid
  • fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
  • grass flats
  • oyster bars
  • marsh drains
  • deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips

Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.

Regulations Summary

⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Ocean whitefish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18 g
Omega-3 (total) 121 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Ocean whitefish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 22 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for Ocean whitefish ↗
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