Alfonsino Beryx splendens

Fillet size:
150-300g

Whole size:
0.8-3 kg

Identifying features:  Brilliant scarlet about, sides red with silver tinge.  Large eye and scales, deeply forked tail.   Dorsal fin with 4 spines, 13-15 soft rays.  Dorsal-fin base is shorter than anal-fin base.

Comparisons:  Most similar to imperador but has a shallower body and fewer dorsal fin soft rays.  Body is more slender and smoother than the related red snapper which has rough scales.

Fillets:  Moderately deep, short, tapering sharply.  Flesh is firm, white and suitable to most cooking methods.

Habitat:  Widely dispersed around New Zealand at depths of 200-800 meters but is common only in some locations and is nowhere abundant.

Catching method:  Longliners.

Storage & Handling:

Chilled: Keep well chilled 0C (32F)

Frozen: Best stored at -18C (0F)

Nutrional Information:

(Per 100 gm raw fillets - approximate)

Protein              18.4g

Energy              143Kcal

Sodium             35mg

Fat                   7.6g

Cholesterol       53mg