Sablefish
Sablefish are deepwater fish in the family Anoplopomatidae. Fish in this family are found in the northern Pacific Ocean, both in Asia and North America.
There are two genera, each with a single species: Anoplopoma fimbria, the sablefish, and Erilepis zonifer, the skilfish. Anoplopoma fimbria is the more commonly caught of the two fish and of commercial significance.
Species
Sablefish
Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)
Skilfish (Erilepis zonifer)
Sablefish
The namesake of the family, the sablefish, is also commonly marketed as “black cod”. Personally, I’m not a fan of this name because the fish has no relation to cod and isn’t even similar texture- or flavor-wise. Moreover, the USDA only accepts the validity of name “sablefish”.
Sablefish are deep-sea fish that prey on other fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and jellyfish. Adults are found below 650 ft in muddy sea beds. They can live up to 90 years old, but the majority of the commercial catch is under 20 years old. In northern parts of their range, they can grow to large sizes, up to 50 lbs (25 kg). On average, though, they are much smaller, usually weighing under 8 lbs.
Most of the sablefish sold in stores is sourced from Alaska, where they are the most abundant. They are, however, also found all along the West Coast, all the way down to northern Mexico. The population along Washington, Oregon, and California is managed separately from those in Alaska and British Columbia. Sablefish in the Pacific Northwest are caught alongside Dover sole and rockfish in bottom trawls or with pots (fishing traps). Stocks are considered sustainable and healthy.
As a deep-sea fish, sablefish is available year-round, though availability is greater between April and November. Sablefish has white, flaky flesh that is rich and high in fat. With such a high fat content, it lends itself well to smoking.
In the future, we might see farmed sablefish on our tables. No commercial production is currently underway, but ongoing research is being conducted on the possibility of raising sablefish in aquaculture systems in the United States.
Skilfish
The skilfish, Erilepis zonifer, is a large fish that looks vaguely similar to a grouper. They can grow up to nearly 200 lbs (90 kg) in weight. The largest ever caught was 6.5 feet in length. On average, however, they are much smaller, usually growing up to 3 feet and about 20 lbs. Like Anoplopoma fimbria, they can live up to 90 years, but 20 years is more common.
Erilepis zonifer ranges from Monterey up through to Alaska and into Japan. These large fish are deep-sea predators that prefer rocky bottoms, with a similar diet to sablefish.
Skilfish are very rare overall and even more rare along the West Coast than in Japan. They are not commonly targeted and are usually landed as bycatch by fisheries. That said, the fish does have value in Japanese markets thanks to its high fat content.
