Butterfish
Peprilus triacanthus
Also known as American butterfish, Atlantic butterfish, Dollarfish, Shiner, Skipjack, Sheepshead, Harvestfish
Culinary Profile
Fatty, oily, and delicious.
Butterfish is a good source of niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, protein, vitamin B12, and selenium.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Butterfish are dull blue on the top, with pale sides and a silvery belly. Numerous irregular dark spots fade after they are harvested. Very thin and deep-bodied, like a flounder set upright, and somewhat circular or rounded. Small mouths with weak teeth and blunt noses. 6 to 9 inches in length, though some individuals can reach 12 inches. Up to 1.25 pounds in weight.
Biology
Butterfish are short-lived and grow rapidly. Few live to more than 3 years of age, and most are sexually mature at age 1. Spawning occurs during June and July. They are semi-pelagic, and form loose schools that feed upon small invertebrates. They have a high natural mortality rate and are preyed upon by many species of fish, marine mammals, and seabirds.
Where They Live
Range Butterfish are found from Florida to Newfoundland, but they are primarily found from Cape Hatteras to the Gulf of Maine. Habitat Butterfish shift their distribution in response to changing bottom water temperatures. During summer, they move northward and inshore to feed and spawn. During winter, they move southward and offshore to avoid cold waters.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Maine to South Carolina.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
In 2024, commercial landings of butterfish totaled approximately 4 million pounds and were valued at $3 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database. Butterfish are primarily landed in Point Judith and North Kingstown, Rhode Island; Montauk, New York; and New Bedford, Massachusetts. They are generally exported to Japan, where they are a popular menu item. Otter trawls are used to catch butterfish. Otter trawls can incidentally catch other fish and marine mammals as bycatch, and can impact habitat, depending on where they are used. Gear restrictions (minimum mesh size) when fishing with otter trawls are used to reduce bycatch.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Butterfish ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | 240 mg | 25 / 111 | 77% |
| Zinc | 0.77 mg | 30 / 111 | 73% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.9 µg | 46 / 106 | 57% |
| Iron | 0.5 mg | 67 / 111 | 40% |
| Protein | 17.28 g | 78 / 111 | 30% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Butterfish.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Butterfish a lean fish or a rich one?
At 146 kcal per 100 g raw, Butterfish counts as rich on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
How much protein is in 100 g of Butterfish?
A 100 g raw serving of Butterfish provides 17.28 g of protein — roughly 35% of the FDA 50 g daily value.
How much selenium does Butterfish provide?
A 100 g raw serving of Butterfish carries 36.5 µg of selenium, about 66% of the 55 µg daily value for adults.
What does Butterfish eat?
Butterfish are short-lived and grow rapidly. Few live to more than 3 years of age, and most are sexually mature at age 1. Spawning occurs during June and July. They are semi-pelagic, and form loose schools that feed upon small invertebrates. They have a high natural mortality rate and are preyed upon by many species of fish, marine mammals, and seabirds.
How long do Butterfish live?
Live to more than 3 years.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught butterfish is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
According to the 2024 stock assessment, butterfish is not overfished and not subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART. Scientists at NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center survey the abundance of butterfish off the East Coast.
Population
The stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gears used to harvest butterfish have minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations limit possession of bycatch species and require modified fishing gear to reduce bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council manage the butterfish fishery. Managed under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan : Fishermen must have a permit to harvest butterfish. Managers limit the amount of available permits to control harvests. Annual catch limits are in place to prevent overfishing.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 17 values
Energy
Macronutrients
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.