Monkfish

Lophius americanus

Least Concern Saltwater

Comprimento Máximo

120,0 cm

Peso Máximo

27,0 kg

Cor

Brown to grayish-brown dorsal surface …

Faixa de Profundidade

0-800m

Família

Lamnidae

Categoria

Food Fish

Sobre

The monkfish, or goosefish, is a benthic ambush predator with a comically large head and mouth. Once considered trash fish, its tail meat is now dubbed 'poor man's lobster' for its firm, sweet texture. It lures prey with a modified dorsal spine.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	120,0 cm
Maximum Weight	27,0 kg
Faixa de Profundidade	0-800m

Coloration

Brown to grayish-brown dorsal surface with mottled pale blotches and dark marbling for benthic camouflage; fringed flap edges break up the body outline; belly pale white; enormous gaping mouth lined with dark edges.

Habitat & Distribution

Atlantic and Pacific shelves at 50-1000m depth over soft muddy substrates. Lies motionless on the seafloor to ambush prey. Found on both sides of the North Atlantic from Newfoundland to Florida.

Tipo de Água

Saltwater

Faixa de Profundidade

0-800m

Distribuição Geográfica

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Conservation Status

Least Concern IUCN Red List

Monkfish is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Comestibilidade e Culinária

Sabor

Firm, dense white tail meat with a mild, subtly sweet flavor often compared to lobster; very low fat. A high-end restaurant staple — roasted, pan-seared, or wrapped in prosciutto.

Informações de Pesca

Peixe Esportivo

Sim

Taxonomy

Ordem	Lamniformes (Mackerel sharks)
Família	Lamnidae (Mackerel sharks)
Espécies	Lophius americanus

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
French	Baudroie d'Amérique
Spanish	Rape americano

Perguntas Frequentes

Can you eat Monkfish?

Firm, dense white tail meat with a mild, subtly sweet flavor often compared to lobster; very low fat. A high-end restaurant staple — roasted, pan-seared, or wrapped in prosciutto.

How big does Monkfish get?

Monkfish can grow up to 120.0 cm long and weigh 27.0 kg.

Where is Monkfish found?

Western North Atlantic from Newfoundland and the Grand Banks south to Brazil. Lies camouflaged on sandy and muddy seafloor of the Continental Shelf and upper Slope, ranging from the surf zone to 670 m depth. Atlantic and Pacific shelves at 50-1000m depth over soft muddy substrates. Lies motionless on the seafloor to ambush prey. Found on both sides of the North Atlantic from Newfoundland to Florida.

Is Monkfish endangered?

The conservation status of Monkfish is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does Monkfish belong to?

Monkfish (Lophius americanus) belongs to the family Lamnidae (Mackerel sharks) in the order Lamniformes (Mackerel sharks).