Malacanthidae
| Tilefishes | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Blue blanquillo, Malacanthus latovittatus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: |
Malacanthidae Poey, 1861 |
| Subfamilies & Genera | |
|
Subfamily Latilinae Subfamily Malacanthinae |
|
Subfamily Latilinae
Subfamily Malacanthinae
Tilefishes are mostly small perciform marine fish comprising the family Malacanthidae. They are usually found in sandy areas, especially near coral reefs.
Commercial fisheries exist for the largest species, making them important food fish. However, the US Food and Drug Administration warns pregnant or breastfeeding women against eating tilefish and some other fish due to mercury contamination. The smaller, exceptionally colorful species of tilefish are enjoyed in the aquarium.
The family is further divided into two subfamilies: Latilinae (=Branchiosteginae) and Malacanthinae. Some authors regard these subfamilies as two evolutionarily distinct families.
The two subfamilies appear to be morphologically different, with members of Latilinae having deeper bodies bearing predorsal ridge and heads rounded to squarish in profile. In contrast, members of Malacanthinae are more slender with elongated bodies lacking predorsal ridge and rounded head. They also differ ecologically, with latilines typically occurring below 50 m and malacanthines shallower than 50 m depth.
Tilefish range in size from 11 cm (yellow tilefish, Hoplolatilus luteus) to 125 cm (great northern tilefish, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) and a weight of 30 kg.
Both subfamilies have long dorsal and anal fins, the latter having one or two spines. The gill covers (opercula) have one spine which may be sharp or blunt; some species also have a cutaneous ridge atop the head. The tail fin may range in shape from truncated to forked. Most species are fairly low-key in colour, commonly shades of yellow, brown, and gray. Notable exceptions include three small, vibrant Hoplolatilus species: the purple sand tilefish (H. purpureus), Starck's tilefish (H. starcki) and the redback sand tilefish (H. marcosi).
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Wikipedia