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🌊 Marine 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Red Sea houndfish

Tylosurus choram Rüppell, 1837
Max Length
120 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.4
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
45.00/100
Typical Length
70 cm
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

Red Sea houndfish (Tylosurus choram) is a ray-finned fish of the family Belonidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in pelagic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 120 cm. With a trophic level of 4.4, it is an apex predator. Commercially fished and consumed as food.

Scientific Name
Tylosurus choram
Authority
Rüppell, 1837
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
Max Length
120 cm
Trophic Level
4.4
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
45.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 24; Anal soft rays: 19 - 22. : elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Red Sea houndfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Red Sea houndfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Red Sea houndfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 0 - ? m. Tropical Indian Ocean: Red Sea to Gulf of Oman, including the eastern Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🐟 Pelagic
Trophic Level
4.4±0.7

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00126 × L3.11 (TL)
Max TL
120cm
Dorsal Rays
22
Anal Rays
21

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
45.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.4
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Rüppell, 1837

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Red Sea houndfish 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 Red Sea houndfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Red Sea houndfish 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

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Belone choram Rüppell 1837 Synonym
Belone robusta Günther 1866 Synonym
Esox belone marisrubri Bloch & Schneider 1801 Synonym
Tylosurus chorum Rüppell 1837 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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