White margate (Haemulon album) is a saltwater species recorded in the United States. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 20–60 m.
Scientific name: Haemulon album · Water: Saltwater
Size: up to 79 cm
The white margate is a haemulid that inhabits seagrass beds, sand flats, coral reefs and wrecks, and it is found in pairs or larger schools. It feeds on benthic invertebrates, and it has been observed to nose into the sand to eat subsurface invertebrates such as peanut worms and heart urchins; it is marketed fresh. It is recorded from 20 to 60 m. Its range is the western Atlantic, from the Florida Keys and Bermuda and the Bahamas to Brazil, and it is found throughout the West Indies while being absent from Colombia. Maximum length is about 79 cm total length, commonly about 50 cm, and it matures at about 30.5 cm. It is a commercial species, a gamefish and a public aquarium fish, with a medium price category. Fishing vulnerability is moderate at 45 of 100 and resilience medium. IUCN lists it as data deficient.
Caution: large individuals carry a ciguatera risk. Heat, cold and marinating do not remove the toxin, which concentrates in the liver, roe and head, so avoid eating those parts. Seek medical help if numbness, tingling or a reversed sense of hot and cold follows a meal.
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