Golden Tilefish
Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps
Also known as Golden bass, Golden snapper, Great northern tilefish, Rainbow tilefish
Culinary Profile
Tilefish has a mild flavor, similar to lobster or crab. Almost all tilefish is sold fresh.
Firm and flaky.
Tilefish are low in sodium. They are a good source of niacin and phosphorus, and a very good source of protein, vitamin B12, and selenium.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Tilefish, sometimes known as “the clown of the sea,” are colorful. They are iridescent blue-green on the back, with numerous spots of bright yellow and gold. Their bellies are white, and their heads are rosy with blue under the eyes. Their pectoral fins are sepia-colored, and the edge of their anal fins is purplish-blue.
Biology
Tilefish grow slowly, up to 43 inches, although the average size harvested is 24 inches. They have a long life span, up to 46 years (females) and 39 years (males). These are the oldest tilefish on record, but radiometric dating techniques indicate tilefish may live as long as 50 years. Tilefish are able to reproduce when they reach 13 inches long and 3 pounds (approximately 2 to 4 years old).
Where They Live
Range Tilefish are found along the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope of the entire U.S. East Coast and in the Gulf of America. They are most abundant from Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, south to Cape May, New Jersey. Habitat Tilefish live in water from 250 to 1,500 feet deep where bottom temperatures range from 49 to 58 ° F.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Massachusetts to Texas.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2023, commercial landings of tilefish totaled 2 million pounds and were valued at $9 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . The majority of the commercial harvest was landed in New York, Florida, and New Jersey. Most of the commercial harvest of tilefish comes from the Mid-Atlantic/Southern New England stock, the largest of the three U.S. tilefish stocks. Gear types: Bottom longline gear catches the majority of the commercial harvest. A small amount of tilefish are caught with otter trawls in the Mid-Atlantic and with handlines in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America. Recreational fishery: U.S.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 106 Species
Where Golden 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 Golden 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 Golden 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 Golden Tilefish a good source of vitamin B12?
Yes — Golden Tilefish provides 2.2 µg of vitamin B12 per 100 g raw, which is 92% of the 2.4 µg daily value.
Where in the water column does Golden Tilefish live?
Range Tilefish are found along the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope of the entire U.S. East Coast and in the Gulf of America. They are most abundant from Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, south to Cape May, New Jersey. Habitat Tilefish live in water from 250 to 1,500 feet deep where bottom temperatures range from 49 to 58 ° F.
How does Golden Tilefish reproduce?
Tilefish grow slowly, up to 43 inches, although the average size harvested is 24 inches. They have a long life span, up to 46 years (females) and 39 years (males). These are the oldest tilefish on record, but radiometric dating techniques indicate tilefish may live as long as 50 years. Tilefish are able to reproduce when they reach 13 inches long and 3 pounds (approximately 2 to 4 years old).
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: Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Gulf of America stocks. According to the most recent stock assessments: The Mid-Atlantic stock is not overfished, but is subject to overfishing (2024 stock assessment). Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The stocks are not overfished.
Fishing Rate
The South Atlantic and Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico) stocks are not subject to overfishing. The Mid-Atlantic stock is reduced to end overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gear used to catch tilefish rarely contacts the ocean floor and has minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
The Mid-Atlantic , South Atlantic , and Gulf 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/Southern New England Tilefish Fishery Management Plan includes: Annual catch limits. Permit requirements.
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.