Tilefish

Tilefishes
Hoplolatilus randalli
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Acanthuriformes
Family: Malacanthidae
Poey, 1861[1]
Subfamilies[2][3]

see text

Synonyms[1]

Branchiostegidae Jordan, 1923

Blue blanquillo, Malacanthus latovittatus

Tilefishes are mostly small perciform marine fish comprising the family Malacanthidae.[2][4] They are usually found in sandy areas, especially near coral reefs. They have a long life span, up to 46 years (females) and 39 years (males). [5]

Commercial fisheries exist for the largest species, making them important food fish. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns pregnant or breastfeeding women against eating tilefish and some other fish due to mercury contamination. [6][7] Exceptionally colorful smaller species of tilefish are favored for aquariums.

  1. ^ a b van der Laan, Richard; Eschmeyer, W.N. & Fricke, Ronald (2014). "Family-group names of recent fishes". Zootaxa. 3882 (2): 1–230. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3882.1.1. PMID 25543675.
  2. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Family Malacanthidae". FishBase. October 2015 version.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Nelson-Grande-Wilson-2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Nelson-2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Malacanthidae". DiscoverLife.org.
  6. ^ "Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish". fda.gov. Food-borne pathogens and contaminants. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 1990–2010. Retrieved 2011-09-14.
  7. ^ Kramer, Melody Joy (17 October 2006). "Fish FAQ: What you need to know about mercury". NPR.org. National Public Radio News. Retrieved 2011-09-14.