Tilefish

Common at 5-10 pounds; sometimes exceeds 20

Family	Malacanthidae
Description	Tilefishes
Environment	Brackish & Marine
Etymology	Greek, mala = a lot of + Greek, akantha = thorn
Genus	5
No. of Species	45
Order	Perciformes
Class	Actinopterygii
Reproductive Guild	Nonguarders
Distribution	Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific. Depth range 10-500 m (usually 50-200 m). One species (Malacanthus latovittatus) may be found in both marine and brackish water (Goldie River, New Guinea).(Ref. 8991). One relatively long dorsal fin; total dorsal fin rays 22-64. Relatively long anal fin; 1 or 2 weak spines; soft rays 14-56. Top of head with or without cutaneous ridge. Operculum with one blunt or sharp spine. Branchiostegal rays 6. Truncate, double emarginate, emarginate to forked caudal fin. Vertebrae 24, 25, or 27 (precaudal 10 or 11). Larvae with elaborate spines (elongated and serrate) on the head and scale (Ref. 8991). All species live in a burrow, some in a large rubble mound of their own construction, in pairs or colonies. They feed on benthic invertebrates or zoopankton. Assumed to be nonguarders (RF). Most aquarium specimens are collected with poison and soon die. According to Dooley 1978 (Ref. 8991), the tilefishes are comprised of two morphologically different and evolutionary distinct groups and are distinct enough to be separate families [Branchiostegidae: with genera Branchiostegus, Lopholatilus, Caulolatilus and Malacanthidae: with genera Hoplolatilus and Malacanthus].

Blue Tilefish, Common Tilefish, Great Norther Tilefish

Likes soft bottom with scattered rocks or growth. Most Florida fish are taken from depths of 400 feet or more. Most common around 200 m, usually over mud or sand bottom and occasionally over rough bottom; prefers temperature of 8-17°C. Feeds mainly on shrimp and crabs, but also takes fish, squid, bivalves and holothurians. Sensitive to cold water, a mass die-off occurred in 1882, after which the species was rare for decades, presumably due to unusually cold water .

Color is gray or bluish, with numerous yellow dots. Head is blunt. A fleshy protuberance forward of the dorsal fin, and entirely separate from it, is a sure identifier. A similar species, the Goldface Tilefish, Caulolatilus Chrysops, has no fleshy protuberance but has a gold band on its head from eye to mouth.

Summary of Distribution: Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Canada to southern Florida, USA and Gulf of Mexico. Probably throughout the northern coast of South America; and the Caribbean
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

Charterboat anglers sometimes fish for Tilefish with wire lines and powered reels. It's exhausting work to crank them up with heavy manual tackle. Chunks of cut fish make good bait.