Stark's tilefish
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit patches of talus or rubble of steep outer reef slopes. Usually seen in pairs that quickly dive headfirst into their burrow when disturbed. Juveniles occasionally school with similarly colored juveniles of Pseudanthias pascalus. Stomach contents of 6 adult specimens consisted of copepods (31.4% by volume), pelagic tunicates (31%, larvaceans, plus Oikopleura), fish eggs (28.6%), siphonophores (5.5%), larval shrimps (1.2%), fish (0.8%), amphipods (0.7%), unidentified decapod larvae (0.5%), and heteropods (0.3) . Minimum depth reported from Ref. 27115.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21 - 23; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 15 - 16; Vertebrae: 24. Small juvenile bright blue . Preopercular serrae 30-57.: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Stark's tilefish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Stark's tilefish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Displays obligate monogamy where a one-to-one pair is established irrespective of resource abundance .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 20 - 105 m , usually 20 - 50 m . Tropical; 21°C - 26°C ; 19°N - 23°S Indo Pacific: Bali, Indonesia, the Philippines to Timor, north to the Mariana Islands, south to Rowley Shoals and New Caledonia; throughout Micronesia.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Stark's tilefish is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.2 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 174 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Stark's tilefish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Blue Tilefish · Blue-head Tilefish · Bluehead Tilefish · Stark's Tilefish |
| 🌍CES | štíhlice modrohlavá |
| 🇫🇷French | Poisson-couvreur de Starck |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-torpedo-bicolor |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 斯氏似弱棘魚 · 斯氏弱棘鱼 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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