My First Fish - What is It?

[Diving Gecko]

Can any of you help ID the fish in the pics on this thread (post #7):
http://forums.deeperblue.com/pneuma...ed-specific-guns-need-buy-now.html#post891827

 

[ThomasB]

Just my useless two Bath: I would not shot a fish without knowing what it is.

 

[Diving Gecko]

I hear you. And your two Bath are def not useless. But I am pretty sure I have seen this fish around wet markets in Thailand (I used to live here) and it "looked" edible when I spotted it. That might sound completely stupid and the argument may not be valid, but that was the feeling I had. It looked too much like a snapper not to be good eating and I thought it had to be one but then its mouth does not look like a snapper.
I was in the water for two hours that day and I did see a lot of fish, but did not shoot more than perhaps 6-8 times. Most of the times at mullets, but no luck on them. Saw one spotted grouper which I could have taken a shot at, but felt it was too small. Also, could easily have shot a nice-sized ray as it was covered half in sand and was intent on not moving. But I felt it was too big and majestic and in some way I did not yet deserve it.

Best,
David

 

[ThomasB]

I hear you. And your two Bath are def not useless. But I am pretty sure I have seen this fish around wet markets in Thailand (I used to live here) and it "looked" edible when I spotted it. That might sound completely stupid and the argument may not be valid, but that was the feeling I had. It looked too much like a snapper not to be good eating and I thought it had to be one but then its mouth does not look like a snapper.
I was in the water for two hours that day and I did see a lot of fish, but did not shoot more than perhaps 6-8 times. Most of the times at mullets, but no luck on them. Saw one spotted grouper which I could have taken a shot at, but felt it was too small. Also, could easily have shot a nice-sized ray as it was covered half in sand and was intent on not moving. But I felt it was too big and majestic and in some way I did not yet deserve it.

Best,
David

Fair enough then mate. The advice then it's just you might end up shoting something not edible at all

 

[Mr. X]

Do you know of inedible fish? I'm not aware of any in the UK. The blow fish comes to mind for tropical waters - but the Japanese eat them after v. careful preparation to remove the poisonous parts. The prickly looking & venomous French rascasse /scorpion fish is commonly used in Bouillabaisse.

I guess the other concern is not to target rare/endangered fish species (although it seem like all/most fish stocks are under severe pressure from massive commercial overfishing worldwide now ) or under size fish - sea species often have Minimum Landing Sizes these days. Or dangerous species.

 

[Diving Gecko]

Mr. X,
Good point indeed. I guess one could eat pretty much any fish in the ocean except a few poisonous ones. I have even found recipes for wrasse and parrotfish, but I think most people stay away from them because somehow we feel it is not nice to shoot a fish with nice colors...? But back to your point, if we exchange edible for tasty, then I guess that makes more sense. It would be a shame to kill a fish that didn't taste well enough to finish the meal.

I also read a lot about spearos staying away from big cudas because of potential ciguatera poisoning. I had some cuda once in the Philippines and I have to say, it is great for eating.

Best,
D.

 

[ThomasB]

Do you know of inedible fish?

You are right, apart from the species you mentioned i don't know many. Inedible was more 'Not so tasty' than poisonous.

 

[Diving Gecko]

Sorry for momentarily reviving this thread... But it bugged me that I could not ID this fish. Now, with the help of another thread, I finally did. It is a Rudderfish. More specifically a Highfin Rudderfish or Kyphosus Cinerascens.
On a recent trip back to Thailand I saw plenty of them on the reefs, but since I have improved and could now get snappers and queenfish instead, I let these little ones go. But if I do come across them on an otherwise slow day and they are big enough, I might take a few as they were tasty.

 

[ReefTroll]

Do you know of inedible fish? I'm not aware of any in the UK. The blow fish comes to mind for tropical waters - but the Japanese eat them after v. careful preparation to remove the poisonous parts. The prickly looking & venomous French rascasse /scorpion fish is commonly used in Bouillabaisse.

I guess the other concern is not to target rare/endangered fish species (although it seem like all/most fish stocks are under severe pressure from massive commercial overfishing worldwide now ) or under size fish - sea species often have Minimum Landing Sizes these days. Or dangerous species.

Come to Australia. We have inedible fish. But then again, everything here wants you dead.

 

[sharkey]

"Drummers of the family Kyphosidae are common inhabitants of reefs & weedbeds in tropical & temperate seas. They feed mainly on plants & most are less than 50 cm total length. Although eaten in some localities the flesh is usually not very highly regarded. Some species of Kyphosus ore reported to produce a mild hallucinogenic effect when consumed." (Marine Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef & South East Asia. Gerry Allen. 1997. Published by Western Aust Museum.)

Adds a whole new slant to "smoking fish".

Cheers Sharkey