Description
Tripletails are deep-bodied fish with the soft rays of the dorsal and anal fins set well back toward the caudal fin giving it a tri-lobed appearance. Coloration can vary from almost black through reddish-bronze to yellow or mottled.
This fish often floats on its side at the water’s surface, the coloration and movements resembling that of a dead leaf. They are frequently mistaken for floating debris. Lengths of three feet and weights of 30 to 50 pounds are attained, but normally they range from 5 to 15 pounds.
Tripletail: Size Facts
- Max length: 39.30 inches
- common length: 31.44 inches
- max. published weight: 42.24 lbs
The Tripletail is also known in Brazil as Prejereba.
Where can Tripletail be found?
Tripletails are found in tropical and subtropical waters of all oceans. Western Atlantic: New England and Bermuda southward to Argentina; and Falkland Islands. Eastern Atlantic: presumably along the coast from the Straits of Gibraltar to the Gulf of Guinea, including Madeira, although reliable records still lacking from Angola, the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde Islands; and Mediterranean. Indo-Pacific: East Africa through all countries of Southeast Asia north to Taiwan Province of China and southern Japan, northern Australia to southern Queensland, New Guinea to New Britain, and south to Fiji. Reported as rare visitors in Ponape, Hawaii, and Tahiti (Ref. 47694). Records from eastern central to southeastern Pacific need further confirmation and may refer to Lobotes pacificus.
Tripletails prefer the mouths of rivers, passes and bays opening into the Gulf displaying some indifference to salinity. They congregate around ship-wrecks, buoys, boats, beacons, pilings, jetties and floating objects.
How does Tripletail look like?
The tripletail’s body appears to have three tails. This is actually just the long rounded dorsal and anal fins, extending almost to the tail. They have a sloping head with small eyes. Color can vary from black, grey, brown and yellow depending on habitat. As they mature and grow, some retain a mottled appearance, but the majority change to a dark gray, black or a deep bronze color… and reach a maximum size of 40 pounds although the average size is much smaller.
How does Tripletail behave?
Tripletail change color with their environment and are great imitators. They swim/float on their side just like a flounder. But they are truly a surface fish, lounging around like a gar.
Fresh brazilian tripletail: Health benefits
The tripletail is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as D and B2 (riboflavin). This delicious fish is rich in calcium and phosphorus and a great source of minerals, such as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week as part of a healthy diet.
Fresh brazilian tripletail: Taste profile
Tripletail may not be a very pretty fish, but it is beautiful to eat. The meat is white, sweet and flaky. It can be cooked a variety of ways and is very forgiving if overcooked.
Cooking Methods:
- Sautéed
- Broil
- Grill
- Poach
Tripletail videos
Nutritional facts
- Serving size: 1g
- Calories: 89 kcal
- Protein: 18.2 g
- Total Fat: 2.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.1 g
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