Ocean Whitefish

Caulolatilus princeps

Ocean Whitefish

Caulolatilus princeps

Other Common Names
Blanquillo

Halibut Flats

Other Common Names

Blanquillo

At the Aquarium

Halibut Flats

Appearance

Ocean whitefish are brownish-green to olive-green with very small scales.

This species has a very long dorsal fin that is almost the same height along its entire length. It also has a similar long anal fin. The pectoral fins are striped with yellow and blue.

Ocean whitefish grow to lengths of 40.2 inches and weigh up to 13.8 pounds.

Habitat

Deep sandy bottoms, rocky reefs and kelp beds.

Diet

Crustaceans, small octopus, squid, and small fish.

Life History

As adults, ocean whitefish have been observed to form loosely aggregated schools at depths of 10 to 65 feet.

In California, ocean whitefish spawn from March to July. They may spawn multiple times during a season. Fertilization occurs externally, resulting in eggs and larvae that drift and float with ocean currents.

The nature of ocean whitefish migratory patterns remains uncertain but they have been found to migrate northward from their Baja California spawning grounds.

Females mature at 3 to 4 years while males mature at 4 to 5 years. Ocean whitefish live up to 13 years.

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Ocean whitefish are prey for giant sea bass and other large predatory fish, as well as sharks and rays.

Ocean whitefish are fished in the Gulf of California in recreational and commercial fisheries. Ocean whitefish are sold in markets in southern California and Mexico.

From British Columbia to central Peru.

The Oregon coast is part of the ocean whitefish range, but this species is rarely seen north of Point Conception in California.

To avoid predators, ocean whitefish take shelter in rocky reefs and nearby kelp beds at night. Then during the daytime they move to deeper waters to feed.

Citations & Other Resources

Findley, L., S. Bessudo, A. Acero, and A. Cotto. 2010. Caulolatilus princeps. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2020. Ocean Whitefish Enhanced Status Report. Marine Species Portal. https://marinespecies.wildlife.ca.gov/ocean-whitefish/true/
California Department of Fish & Wildlife. 2024. Creature Feature: Ocean Whitefish. Marine Management News. https://cdfwmarine.wordpress.com/2024/10/25/creature-feature-ocean-whitefish/
California Sea Grant. N.d. Ocean Whitefish. California Seafood Profiles. https://caseagrant.ucsd.edu/seafood-profiles/ocean-whitefish
Breezygamer117 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ocean_Whitefish_(Caulolatilus_princeps)_at_the_California_Academy_of_Sciences.jpg), „Ocean Whitefish (Caulolatilus princeps) at the California Academy of Sciences“, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode

Ocean Whitefish

Ocean Whitefish

Other Common Names

At the Aquarium

Appearance

Habitat

Diet

Life History

IUCN Status

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Citations & Other Resources

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