bighead tilefish
Caulolatilus affinis
Bottom fish of the eastern Pacific, with highly prized flesh, considered a sport fish. It lives between 30 and 185 m, from the Gulf of California to Peru.
Also called: peixe-batata-cabeçudo, blanquillo cabezón, blanquillo, cabezudo, bighead tilefish
- maximum
- 50 cm
- record/max.
- 0.7 kg
- depth
- 30–185 m
who is the bighead tilefish
The ocean whitefish belongs to the family Latilidae and reaches 49.5 cm, weighing up to 680 g. It lives on rock and sand bottoms, near isolated reefs, between 30 and 185 m, from the Gulf of California to Peru. There are also records in brackish water. It is sold fresh or frozen, with excellent-quality flesh, and is considered a sport fish. Mature females are found in April and November in the Gulf of California, and in September in Colombia, Ecuador and the Galápagos.
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 bighead tilefish; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Bottom fish with a spindle-shaped body and a large head, which explains the popular names cabezón and cabezudo. Like other whitefish, it has a firm, elongated body and long dorsal and anal fins. One of its popular names alludes to the golden eye. It lives on rock and sand bottoms, near isolated reefs, between 30 and 185 m.
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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 eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Peru, on rock and sand bottoms, with records also in brackish water.
Habitat: Rock and sand bottoms, near isolated reefs, from 30 to 185 m.
rules for the bighead tilefish
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
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.
Harmless to anglers. This bottom fish, found from 30 to 185 m, suffers from rapid ascent (barotrauma): ascend slowly and release it carefully.
in the kitchen
Sold fresh or frozen, it is considered excellent-quality food.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00832, b = 3.11; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). 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: Caulolatilus affinis (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Caulolatilus affinisNames by country and language.
