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🌊 Marine 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Subtropical

Comb rockling

Gaidropsarus insularum Sivertsen, 1945
Max Length
34 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
27.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Comb rockling (Gaidropsarus insularum), first described by Sivertsen, 1945 is a medium-sized fish in the family Gaidropsaridae (order Gadiformes). Adults typically reach 34.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. It occurs in Subtropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. The species is important as a food fish. As a member of the Gaidropsaridae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.

Scientific Name
Gaidropsarus insularum
Authority
Sivertsen, 1945
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Elongated
Max Length
34 cm
Trophic Level
3.5
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
27.00/100
Migration
Non-migratory
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 50 - 54. 2nd dorsal fin with 62-64 soft rays.: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Comb rockling 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; demersal; non-migratory. Subtropical Southeast Atlantic: South Africa, Tristan da Cunha, and Gough Island.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Migration
Non-migratory
Trophic Level
3.5±0.3

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00479 × L3.06 (TL)
Max TL
34cm
Anal Rays
52

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
27.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Sivertsen, 1945

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Gaidropsarus Insularum 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

Detailed nutritional data for Comb rockling is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Comb rockling 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

👥 Community & Contribute

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