Shortspine Thornyhead

Alternative Names: Idiot fish

Monterey Bay Recommendation: Best Choice from the US West coast. Good alternative from Alaskan sources. Avoid from Canada.

Uses in Cooking: The skin of this fish is prone to shrink and they are often rather large, so whole roasting is not a good choice. They can be grilled, sauteed, deep fried, poach, or broiled.

Similar Fish: Ocean Perch, Black Cod, Quillback rockfish

Description: These have a more pronounced flavor than other rockfish. The meat is sweeter. They are somewhat soft when compared to other rockfish, almost gelatinous like a black cod.

Fun Facts: These fish are specially adapted to live in a part of the ocean called the Oxygen Minimum Zone, where oxygen saturation is at its lowest.