Golden Tilefish
Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps
Managed by: SAFMC
Physical description:
The golden tilefish is easily distguishable fom other members of the family Malacanthidae by the large adipose flap, or crest, on the head. The species is blue-green and iridescent on the back, with numerous spots of bright yellow and gold. The belly is white and the head is rosy, with blue under the eyes. The pectoral fins are sepia-colored, and the margin of the anal fin is purplish-blue.
Biological description:
Tilefish inhabit the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope along the entire east coast of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico south to Venezuela. They are found in waters from 250-1,500 feet deep, where bottom temperatures range from 49° to 58° F. Individuals live in cone-shaped burrows, and concentrate in small groups or pods. Females are smaller than males, although whether or not the species displays hermaphrodism is unknown. Sexual maturity is reached when fish are about 27 inches long and weigh about 9 pounds. Spawning occurs from March to September, and females lay from 2-8 million pelagic eggs. Tilefish feed during the day on the bottom on crustaceans, clams, snails, worms, anemones and sea cucumbers. They can reach lengths of 38 inches, although growth is slow.
South Atlantic Federal Regulations
(For areas three-200 miles off the coasts of NC, SC, GA, and East Florida)
Commercial:
- Gear restrictions apply.
- Annual commercial quota - 295,000 pounds gutted weight (gw).
- Effective January 31, 2011, the commercial Annual Catch Limit (quota) for golden tilefish is 282,819 pounds (gw) as approved in Amendment 17B.
- Commercial trip limit - 4,000 pounds gw. The trip limit will decrease to 300 lbs. gw if 75% of the quota is taken on or before September 1.
- Golden Tilefish Closed to Vessels Fishing in S. Atlantic Federal Waters from March 9, 2011 - January 1, 2012. See Fishery Bulletin
Recreational:
- Included in the 3-grouper per person bag limit. A limit of one per person within the 3-grouper per person aggregate bag limit.
- Effective January 31, 2011, the recreational Annual Catch Limit (quota) for golden tilefish is 1,578 fish based on an allocation of 97% commercial and 3% recreational as approved in Amendment 17B. (See Fishery Bulletin Reminder below)
- Gear restrictions apply.
- Recreational Sector Temporarily Closed to Fishing Golden Tilefish, effective October 6, 2011 (See Fishery Bulletin)
New! Reminder: Recreational Measures for Snowy Grouper, Golden Tilefish, and Black Sea Bass. See Fishery Bulletin for details regarding Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures in place for these species.