Blue sea chub (Kyphosus cinerascens) is a saltwater species recorded in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 0–45 m. The main season in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia runs all year.
Scientific name: Kyphosus cinerascens · Water: Saltwater · Season: All year
Size: up to 53 cm
The blue sea chub is a kyphosid that gathers over hard, algae-coated bottoms on surf-swept outer reef flats, in lagoons and on seaward reefs. Note that FishBase reports it is more commonly involved in hallucinogenic fish poisoning than most related species, so it should be eaten with caution. Its juveniles drift along with floating material. It feeds mainly on seaweed and the invertebrates living on it. Commonly about 45 cm and up to 53 cm fork length, maturing at about 22.6 cm. Found all year and a high-priced fish.
Caution: linked to hallucinogenic fish poisoning. This genus, Kyphosus, is more commonly implicated in hallucinogenic fish poisoning than related species, and FishBase lists it as poisonous to eat, so it is best left uneaten.
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