Blueline Tilefish

Identification

An olive-gray upper body, pale underside and a gold stripe underlined in blue from the snout toward the eye identify this relatively understated tilefish. The dorsal and anal fins are long. Unlike golden tilefish, bluelines do not have a prominent fleshy forehead crest. Photograph the head profile and facial stripe together; the absence of a crest is as useful as the presence of a blue line. FWC blueline tilefish identification

Bluefin, blueline and golden are not interchangeable labels. Use the scientific name with a record when common names might be confused, and do not reuse a golden tilefish illustration for this species.

Evidence in the corridor

A South Atlantic Council advisory-panel report describes blueline fishing from Palm Beach through Miami. It explicitly records fishing-community observations rather than presenting them as a formal abundance survey. This supports a regional fishery context, not a named dive-site sighting or a population estimate. SEDAR blueline fishery report

Bluelines live around shelf-edge and upper-slope bottom, using ledges, rubble, holes and other irregular habitat. NOAA describes a broad depth range beginning around 100 feet and extending much deeper. Do not interpret the shallow end as a reason to pursue one on a recreational dive. NOAA blueline habitat and biology

Feeding, reproduction and size

They eat bottom-associated invertebrates and small fishes. NOAA describes free-floating eggs and mainly nighttime spawning, with a spring peak. FWC’s seasonal summary differs, so this guide does not offer a precise southeast Florida breeding calendar.

Agency size summaries also differ: FWC reaches 30 inches, NOAA 35, without a stated measurement axis in those short accounts. Neither is treated here as a universal maximum or a reliable photographic size estimate.

Three memorable details

• The identifying facial line combines gold and blue.
• The missing forehead crest separates it from its more colorful golden relative.
• Bottom-dwelling adults produce eggs that drift in the water, rather than remaining in an adult’s shelter. NOAA life history

Harvest and observation caution

This is primarily deepwater marine-life education, not a suggestion for a sightseeing dive.

Checked November 12, 2026: recreational blueline tilefish harvest is closed in Florida Atlantic state waters and South Atlantic federal waters. FWC lists the state season as May 1–August 31; NOAA closed the 2026 federal season September 1. Do not apply Mid-Atlantic or Gulf dates to southeast Florida. Check current notices, vessel restrictions and release-equipment rules before fishing. FWC tilefish rules and NOAA federal closure

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