COMMON MARINE FISHES 



111 



SABLEFISH 

 Anoplopoma fimbria 



Relationship: A member of the skilfish family, Anoplopomatidae, of which it is 

 the ouly California representative. 



Distinguishing Characters: The bony support which extends from the lower 

 part of the eye across the cheek just under the skin ; the presence of a slit behind the 

 fourth gill ; the two separate dorsal fins, the first being composed of spines, the second 

 of soft rays ; the two pairs of nostrils ; the small scales which cover the body ; the anal 

 fin with three spines and 15 to 19 soft rays. Reaches a length of over three feeet and a 

 weight of 40 to 50 pounds. (There is a report of an Alaskan specimen weighing 126 

 pounds wfth the viscera removed.) Color: Blackish, dark gray or greenish gray on the 

 back and sides, becoming paler below ; lining of gill cover and peritoneum blackish. 



Distribution; Southern California to Alaska. 



Fishing Season: Throughout the yeai 

 during the winter months. 



with the smallest catches usually made 



Importance: One of the more important market species in California. In 1946, 

 heaviest landings were made in the Eureka region, followed by Monterey and San 

 Francisco. Taken in small quantities in Southern California. Sold chiefly in the fresh 

 fish markets ; 5 to 10 percent of the catch is smoked and small amounts are sometimes 

 salted. The liver and viscera have a high vitamin content. 



Fishing Gear: Set lines, trawl nets. 



Unauthorized Names: Deep sea trout, coalfish, skilfish, black cod, butterfish, 

 candlefish, blue cod, bluefish, coal cod. 



