pink cusk-eel
Genypterus blacodes
Deep-water cusk-eel of the South Atlantic, of great importance to commercial fishing, almost never caught on rod.
Also called: congro-rosado, congrio dorado, abadejo, pink cusk-eel
- maximum
- 200 cm
- record/max.
- 25.0 kg
- depth
- 300–550 m
who is the pink cusk-eel
Cusk-eel of the family Ophidiidae, with an elongated, compressed body of yellowish-pink color, marbled on the back by irregular reddish blotches. It reaches 200 cm and up to 25 kg. It lives in deep waters, from 22 to 1000 m, and is most common between 300 and 550 m. Juveniles stay in shallower shelf waters. It mainly eats crustaceans, such as squat lobsters and langoustines, and also fish. It lays floating eggs. It is of great importance to commercial fishing.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the pink cusk-eel; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- It lays floating eggs, grouped in a gelatinous mass.
identification
Yellowish-pink body, with irregular reddish-brown blotches marbling the back. It is elongated and compressed from the sides, with long dorsal and anal fins typical of the family. The pink color and marbled back are the main signs for identifying it, along with the long body and large size.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
It occurs in the southwestern Atlantic, in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, and also in the Pacific, in Chile, Australia and New Zealand.
Habitat: Deep waters, usually between 300 and 550 m, with juveniles in shallow shelf waters.
coast
rules for the pink cusk-eel
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It is not dangerous. As a bottom fish, the pressure change on ascent can cause barotrauma; if released, do it carefully.
in the kitchen
Sold fresh, frozen or smoked, and can be fried or baked.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00224, b = 3.16; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Genypterus blacodes (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Genypterus blacodesNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
