Blueline Tilefish
Caulolatilus microps
Also known as Tilefish, Gray tilefish
Culinary Profile
Tilefish has a mild sweet flavor, similar to lobster or crab. It is similar in taste to golden tilefish. Almost all tilefish is sold fresh.
Firm but tender.
Tilefish is low in sodium. It is a good source of niacin, phosphorus, protein, vitamin B12, and selenium.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Also known as blueline tilefish, they get this name from a narrow gold stripe underlined in blue that runs from their snout to the tip of their eye. They have a long snout and are a dull olive-gray on the top of their body and white on the bottom. They have long, continuous dorsal and anal fins that are more than half the length of their body.
Biology
Tilefish can grow to be 35 inches long and live up to 26 years. Males can grow larger than females. Female tilefish mature when they are about 3 years old. They can spawn year-round, but peak spawning is in May. Spawning primarily occurs at night. Females can lay more than 4 million free-floating eggs.
Where They Live
Range Tilefish are commonly found in the western Atlantic from Campeche, Mexico, to Hudson Canyon, off the coast of Maryland, including the eastern Gulf of America. There are reports of catches as far north as Maine and as far west as Texas. Habitat Tilefish typically live along the outer continental shelf, shelf break, and upper slope.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round in the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico). Can be year-round or seasonal in the South Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Rhode Island to the west coast of Florida.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In response to the stock assessment in 2013, more restrictive regulations were implemented in the South Atlantic’s Snapper-Grouper FMP and commercial landings declined by half. In 2017, management measures were developed by the Mid-Atlantic Council. In 2024, commercial landings of blueline tilefish totaled 193,000 pounds and were valued at $703,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen mainly use longline and vertical hook-and-line gear to harvest blueline tilefish. Sea turtles, marine mammals, smalltooth sawfish, and reef fishes can be incidentally caught while fishing for blueline tilefish.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 106 Species
Where Blueline Tilefish ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 345 mg | 40 / 104 | 62% |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.2 µg | 41 / 106 | 61% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 85 mg | 64 / 104 | 38% |
| Protein | 17.5 g | 76 / 111 | 32% |
| Phosphorus | 187 mg | 85 / 111 | 23% |
| Zinc | 0.37 mg | 91 / 111 | 18% |
| Iron | 0.25 mg | 95 / 111 | 14% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Blueline Tilefish.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Blueline Tilefish, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blueline Tilefish a lean fish or a rich one?
At 96 kcal per 100 g raw, Blueline Tilefish counts as lean on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
How long do Blueline Tilefish live?
Live up to 26 years.
How does Blueline Tilefish reproduce?
Tilefish can grow to be 35 inches long and live up to 26 years. Males can grow larger than females. Female tilefish mature when they are about 3 years old. They can spawn year-round, but peak spawning is in May. Spawning primarily occurs at night. Females can lay more than 4 million free-floating eggs.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught tilefish is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are three stocks of tilefish: the Mid-Atlantic stock, the South Atlantic stock, and the Gulf of America stock. According to the most recent stock assessments: The Mid-Atlantic stock has not been assessed so the population status is unknown. The South Atlantic stock is not overfished (2017 stock assessment), but is not subject to overfishing based on 2024 catch data.
Population
In the South Atlantic, not overfished. In the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico), the stocks have not been assessed, the population levels are unknown, and management measures are in place.
Fishing Rate
In the Gulf of America and South Atlantic, not subject to overfishing. In the Mid-Atlantic, overfishing status is unknown, but management measures are in place.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gears used to harvest blueline tilefish have minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
The Mid-Atlantic , South Atlantic , and Gulf Fishery Management Councils develop management measures for the tilefish fisheries in their respective jurisdictions. NOAA Fisheries is responsible for implementing and enforcing these measures. The Mid-Atlantic Tilefish Fishery Management Plan measures for tilefish include: Permit requirements for commercial and for-hire vessels.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 19 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.