This Fish Has a Serious Case of the Blues

TL;DR

Lingcod, a typically brown and white fish, can sometimes be found with vibrant blue scales and flesh. While the reason for this coloration is still unclear, it appears to be related to the overall health of the fish.

Transcript

Thanks to Brilliant for supporting this episode of SciShow. Go to Brilliant.org/SciShow to check out their interactive Computer Science Fundamentals course. [♪ INTRO] Imagine yourself fishing along the shores of the Pacific Ocean, and you excitedly reel in what could very well be your catch of the day, a big, hefty lingcod. But as you pull it up to... Read More

Key Insights

• 💙 Lingcod, usually brown and white, can sometimes exhibit bright blue coloration in their scales and flesh.
• 💙 Blue lingcod are not as rare as previously believed, with about 14% of individuals showing some degree of blue coloration.
• 💙 The blue coloration appears to be associated with poor health, as blue lingcod have lower concentrations of important fatty acids and signs of physical health problems.
• 🕵️‍♀️ Female lingcod are more likely to be blue than males, possibly due to their better ability to cope with their poor condition.
• 😘 Blue lingcod tend to have lower liver weights and higher parasite counts compared to their brown counterparts.
• 🔹 The size and location of the fish may be connected to the prevalence of blue coloration, with smaller females in shallower water more likely to be blue.
• 💙 The cause of the blue coloration is still unknown, but it may be related to compounds such as biliverdin, which is elevated during starvation in other fish species.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why are some lingcod blue?

The exact reason for the blue coloration is still unknown, but it appears to be related to the overall health of the fish. Blue lingcod have lower concentrations of important fatty acids and signs of poor physical health.

Q: Are blue lingcod rare?

Blue lingcod are not as rare as previously believed. Research has shown that about 14% of lingcod have some degree of blue coloration.

Q: Are there other fish species with blue coloration?

Yes, blue coloration has been observed in other fish species as well, including rock greenlings and cabezon. These fish are also found in similar habitats to lingcod.

Q: Does the blue coloration affect the taste of the fish?

No, the blue coloration is temporary and disappears once the fish is cooked. The taste and texture of blue lingcod are not affected by their color.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lingcod, a species of fish found in the Pacific Ocean, can sometimes exhibit a striking blue coloration in their scales and flesh.

• Research has shown that about 14% of lingcod have some degree of blue coloration, making it more common than previously thought.

• Blue lingcod, especially females, tend to have lower concentrations of important fatty acids and signs of poor physical health, such as lower liver weights and higher parasite counts.