In today's article we are going to know in depth a marine species called Roosterfish. This is one of the fish that has great strength in their struggle And it's quite an attractive challenge for sport fishing. Because it's so powerful, it's quite difficult to catch if you're not skilled with a rod. Therefore, as a way to test yourself, this fish is quite popular. The name “roosterfish” is applied to different species depending on the country and context.
In addition, you can learn about its excellent strength and attraction as a fishing fish in this article. all about its biology, characteristics and behavior, as well as regional differences, fishing techniques, and tips for responsible consumption. Want to learn more about roosterfish? Just keep reading.
Key features
As with the oar fish, the roosterfish that stars in sport fishing on beaches of the eastern Pacific (known as roosterfish) has a elongated and muscular body which makes it perfect for the challenge with surface lures. In large specimens, It can measure around 1,5 meters and weigh over 45–50 kg., with a very visible dorsal crest formed by elongated rays that gives it its popular name.
In the culinary world of the Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean, several species of fish are called “rooster”. flatfish of the Scophthalmidae family, mainly Lepidorhombus boscii (sand rooster) and Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis (northern rooster). These roosters have a thin, translucent, flattened body, with both eyes located on the same side of the head (usually the left), a typical adaptation of flatfish.
In the Southern Cone of South America, “roosterfish” also designates the Callorhinchus callorynchus, a cartilaginous fish related to chimeras, Fusiform body, thin tail, silver color with spots, which has a snout proboscis or trunk very characteristic. Males develop claspers (modifications of the pelvic fins), a frontal tenaculum y prepelvic grips covered with spiny scales, structures that serve to retain the female during mating.
In general, we can summarize thus some relevant diagnostic features by type:
- Pacific roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis): robust body, sail-shaped dorsal crest, blue-grey back with silver tones and dark lateral bands. Oblique mouth with small teeth; predator with great resistance to lure drag.
- Atlantic-Mediterranean flatfish (Lepidorhombus spp., family Scophthalmidae): flattened body, very fine and semi-transparent, eyes on the left side, sinuous lateral line clearly visible, discreet spots on the back; excellent for consumption for its white meat.
- Patagonian roosterfish (Callorhinchus callorynchus): cartilaginous fish with snout; scaleless skin over much of the body except for regions with placoid scales thorny; frontal tenaculum and handles prepelvics in males; silvery with large dark spots.
In all cases, the coloring usually integrates tones blue-gray and silverIn the roosterfish, the bands from the back towards the caudal peduncle and its dorsal “sail” makes it unmistakable; in flat roosters, the skin shows blue-green iridescences on the back and belly whitish; and on Callorhinchus highlights the contrasting stains and the horn.
Range and habitat
This species shares habitat with the lemon fish when we talk about the roosterfish from the eastern Pacific. It can usually be seen near the coast, about open beaches, estuaries, estuaries and rocky shallows, where it hunts in breakers and shallows. It always seeks to settle near reefs to take advantage of shelters and hunting currents.
On some occasions it has been found established in extremes of beaches, estuaries and even coastal lagoons. When they are still juveniles, they can live in very shallow watersThe time of year when both sightings and fishing are most common usually coincides with months of warm waters and stable seas, when coastal dams are added.
In contrast, the Atlantic-Mediterranean flatfish (Lepidorhombus spp.) live from shallow waters up to over 400 m, and may even appear to 800 m on sandy and muddy bottoms of the platform and upper slope. They are benthic fish that remain half-buried in sand, stalking their prey.
The Patagonian roosterfish (Callorhinchus callorynchus) is located in the Continental platform from southern South America, mainly from southern Brazil to Chile, with frequent records to depths less than 200 m and up to 480 mIn spring-summer, the Coastal areas function as birth and breeding areas, with a high presence of neonates and juveniles, while adults move to deeper waters at the end of summer.
Roosterfish feeding and reproduction
The Eastern Pacific roosterfish has great speed and maneuverability to pursue prey in surf. Thanks to its hunting skill, can feed on a wide variety de peces of different sizes, as well as cephalopods and crustaceans. In periods of scarcity, it can intensify the trophic opportunism on schools of sardines or anchovies, to which persistently harasses until you catch them.
The flat roosters (Lepidorhombus spp.) are benthic predators who consume crustaceans, cephalopods and small fishThey have teeth adapted to Crush thin-shelled prey, with differences in size and sex as their trophic habits change.
The Patagonian roosterfish (Callorhinchus callorynchus) is benthophage par excellence and feeds on Bivalves (such as scallops), gastropods, polychaetes, crustaceans, sea urchins and fishIts powerful teeth allow for efficient grinding.
About reproduction, it is convenient to distinguish:
- Roosterfish (Pacific): like most de peces coastal marine bones, fertilization is externalThe laying would take place in shallow waters near the coast, and the larvae/fry remain close to the surface until they grow larger and move to slightly deeper areas. Juveniles use bays and estuaries as breeding areas.
- Flatfish (Atlantic–Mediterranean): oviparous with external fertilization. They perform staging sandy bottoms in different annual periods depending on the area. The juveniles occupy coastal waters and they gain depth with growth.
- Callorhinchus callorynchus: oviparous with internal fertilizationThe female releases two simultaneous ovicapsules, up to 27 cm, greenish-yellow color that darkens to black. The capsules show a smooth central part and a filamentous edge, and can reach the coastline after stormsIn Patagonian regions they have been described two spawning peaks coastal throughout the year, with a high proportion of females with spermatophores in midsummer. It presents sexual dimorphism marking: females reach larger sizes and weights than males.
As for the growth and longevity, records in the Argentine Sea mention females of Callorhinchus with up 17 years and males with 10 years. The sexual maturity It is reached later in females than in males, with maturity sizes around 42 cm y 38 cm respectively, and approximate maximum sizes of 70cm and 61cmThis species has multi-year reproductive cycles.
Roosterfish sport fishing
These fish are very popular in the world of sport fishing. What anglers look for most is that technical challenge that tests their skill. In the case of the roosterfish, the most productive season It usually coincides with warm, stable periods outside the local reproductive peak.
For roosterfish on the eastern Pacific coast, surface lure fishing is iconic:
- Lures: poppers and stickbaits of good size, alternating with live bait when searching large specimens.
- Keys to the throw: throw far offers time to “turn on” the fish with animation; you will see the dorsal ridge break the surface following the decoy before the attack.
- The fight: sustained and strategic; alternating long races with false surrenders before another onslaught. Progressive braking and consistency are crucial.
For recreational coastal fishing of Patagonian roosterfish, many enthusiasts use equipment of surfcasting adapted to the controlled drift of the gear over the bottom:
- White hair between 3,5 and 4,2 m capable of launching weights of up to 250 g; front or rotating reels with over 200 m of 0,28–0,35 mm nylon and conical whip of 10 m.
- Hooks medium/small (e.g., 1/0–3/0) in arm lengths of at least 50 cm, tied with strong nylon (≈0,70). The fish's mouth is not large in proportion to its body; Small hooks improve hook setting.
- Mounts: from one to three hooks; the more hooks, shorter casting distance. Alternate fishing anchored controlled drift (letting the lead work with the current) to cover ground and give the fish time to take the bait.
- baits: prawn, magrú, anchovy, silverside or squid, alone or in combination; embody generous and fix with elastic thread leaving the point of the hook exposed.
- Reading the tide: the current “carries” the smell of the bait; with high tide or full low tide (zero drift) activity usually falls. It compensates releasing line and adjusting the weight and type of lead.
Commercial fishing to sell its meat in the case of flatfish is done by trawling between 100 and 500 meters deep, and also longline. Marketing increased as it became famous for its sport fishing and gastronomy. The smallest specimens that have been caught are in 25 cm, although in Some countries prohibit the capture of roosters under 20 cmIt is important that the areas where there is a greater boom in fishing are prepared for reduce the environmental impact.
The areas corresponding to the North Atlantic are those where enormous specimens of flatfish exceeding one meter in length have been caught, while in the Mediterranean the average sizes are smaller. The areas with the most commercial catches include the Gulf of Cadiz, the Cantabrian Sea and the Northwest peninsular. The problem of drag is the capture of non-target species and the damage to funds already meadows and algae.
Nutritional properties and responsible consumption
The commercial “rooster” of European fishmongers (mainly Lepidorhombus spp.) is a lean white fish very few thorns and fine texture. Per 100 g it offers approximately 80 Kcal, with 15,8g protein, 1,9 g fat (of which 0,3 g saturated), carbohydrates and fiber below 0,5 g, and an interesting profile of B vitamins (B3, B6, B9, B12) and minerals , the phosphorus, potassium, selenium, magnesium, iodine and iron. It is a well-valued option in nutritional labeling systems due to its balance and low fat content.
En more supports simple and healthy techniques:
- Baked in papillote with vegetables and butter style miller: enhances its mild flavor and maintains juiciness.
- Fried Andalusian style Lightly coated in flour: crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside; ideal with salad or potatoes.
For responsible consumption, find out about fishing gear, local minimum size and origin; prioritize catches with Low impact and respects seen or breeding periods. In the case of Callorhinchus callorynchus, various regional assessments list it as Vulnerable, so the management of its recreational and commercial extraction must be especially careful.
Quick guide to identification by region
To avoid confusions When talking about “roosterfish”, use these keys:
- Eastern Pacific (Mexico to Peru/Galapagos): “roosterfish” is the roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis), high dorsal crest, side stripes, fishing with poppers and stickbaits on beaches and shallows.
- NE Atlantic and Mediterranean: “rooster” are flatfish, mainly Lepidorhombus boscii y L. whiffiagonis, White meat, benthic habitat in sandy bottoms of platform and slope.
- Southern Cone (SW Atlantic): “roosterfish” refers to Callorhinchus callorynchus, cartilaginous fish with trunk, tenaculum and handles; oviparous with ovicapsules.
With this clarification, you will be able to correctly interpret data on size, habitat, reproduction and fishing gear depending on the geographical context, and thus better plan your outings or your purchases at the fishmonger.
Thanks to the very skillful movements it can make, the Pacific roosterfish is able to be seen in places like river mouths, rocky slopes and areas with strong waves. And, as with most demersals in the Atlantic and Patagonia, the flat and Callorhinchus prefer sandy bottoms, moving according to season between coastal breeding areas y deeper waters.
Beyond these differences, all the “roosters” share an inspiring trait: They are species that reward attention to detail of the fisherman or the cook, and that invite you to fish and consume with knowledge and respect for the sea.
