On the Pier Fishing In California Facebook page this is seeing considerable debate between people arguing why the blue color exists in cabezon, some lingcod and greenling. Any thoughts? Meantime I'm trying to find some answers.'
(1) KJ— Anglers who have never caught a lingcod or cabezon are sometimes surprised when they clean and fillet them. Blue fillets? Yes, their fillets are often blue but they turn white and are delicious when cooked up. In an informal poll of favorite eating fish on Pier Fishing In California, lingcod rated #1 while halibut and cabezon tied for #2.
(2) Tommy Joy Joy — Greenlings too may have green flesh.
(3) Michael Chung — Blue because their circulatory system uses copper to transport oxygen (compared to iron in our human hemoglobin).
Dave Lyon —No
Chris Howton — That is true for crustaceans, but not fish
(4) Hugh Muncie — The flesh isn’t as blue in So Cal. It gets more blue the farther north you go. Joseph Garibay — I’ve caught cabezon in Malibu that was easily as blue as those filets in the photo. I was blown away at how bright the entire fish was. Not saying you are wrong but I think there are some very blue species down south too.
KJ — I don’t believe there is any difference between those in the north and south.
(5) KJ—Per the experts: Don't worry if the flesh is blue colored, this is a common occurrence in cabezon and lingcod and the flesh will turn white when cooked. It’s a naturally occurring condition caused by biliverdin, a green bile pigment caused by a breakdown of red blood cells (similar to the pigment responsible for the bluish color seen in bruises.
Mikey Kay — KJ trip out!I was told it’s the squid and octopus they eat. Like Methaline Blue effect
KJ— Simply reporting what the fishery scientists say. You can believe what you want but I will stick with their studies.
Mark Kovarik — I've heard that, too. Friend of mine said squid and octopus have copper based blood.
(6) Frank L Fraccalvieri — It’s all about what they are eating that makes them white, green or blue.
(7) Robert Fusca — They turn blue because they have been feeding on crab. Cabazons also have blue fillets, same scenario
KJ — Robert Fusca Read the above posts on what the scientists say. Most bottom fish in the rock and kelp environments feed on crabs but few have this blue flesh.
Robert Fusca — From what the Biologist told me when I was in the commercial seafood industry in a different state, that’s what the told me.
Doc Robert Broderson — Robert Fusca they take on the color of the kelp that's why they're blue
(8) Karl Splaine — Robert Fusca I always understood it is from the ink in the squid and octopus they eat.
Ray Basso — Robert FuscaI always thought it was from eating octopus. The ink from the octopus is what made the meat turn blue
(9) Juan Gallegos — Very few know why the meat turns blue.
Nikan Comer — Juan Gallegos it’s because they eat more octopus and squid and the ink turns their body blue.
(10) Mirko Lopez — So why the blue? I love looking either white or blue but where does the blue come from? Genetics?
Chris John — I’ve heard it’s genetics, and I’ve heard it’s diet. I’m sure Google has the right answer.
KJ—I've already reported what the scientists say.
(11) KJ — Why do lingcod and cabezon have biliverdin in their system? AI — Lingcod and cabezon have biliverdin in their systems because it is a natural bile pigment that causes the blue-green color of their flesh, though the exact reason for its accumulation in some individuals is still being researched. While potential factors include genetics, diet, or liver function, the specific mechanism for why some fish accumulate biliverdin while others don't is not fully understood. This blue coloration is completely harmless, is normal for these species, and the flesh turns white when cooked.
David White — Kenneth Jones, AI figure it out already. It’s from eating octopus .
(12) Pete Wagner — Shouldn't we know what is causing the blue?
Nikolai Zamechatel’no Romnovski — Pete Wagner its natural ling cod cabezon and other lizardy bottom grabbers around the world have the blue green gene..... thats the name of my new band ... .the lizardy bottom grabbing blue green gene masheen. .. band.... man
Pete Wagner — I guess half of them don't like that type of music.
(13) David White — They’re blue from eating octopus, but blue fillets signal awesome fish tacos. some of the best fresh seafood there is on the planet.
(14) James Childs — Blue or green is from them feeding more on crustaceans than fish. Cut the stomach open and notice the food contents, crabs, shrimp & lobster.
(15) Venecom Griffin ‑Eating Squid good Eating
(16) Dino Cuccia — So the $100,000,000 question would it be considered a different species, some feel because of octopus ink it is that color but they all eat octopus, can anyone really answer, a lot of us have caught both colors and they are identical except for color
