Yellowtail

Commonly known as yellowtail, amberjack, and kingfish, species in the Seriola genus are fast-swimming, carnivorous fish found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. While they resemble tuna or mackerel in appearance, amberjacks actually belong to a different family of fish, the Carangidae.

Some amberjack species can grow quite large, up to 90 pounds (41 kg), and their firm texture and rich flavor make them highly prized for seafood markets around the world. In Japanese cuisine, they are especially popular as sushi and sashimi, sold under names like hamachi, buri, kampachi, and hiramasa, depending on the species and size.

Four species of Seriola are most commonly eaten:

• Japanese amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata)
• Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili)
• Almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana)
• Yellowtail amberjack or kingfish (Seriola lalandi)

While wild-caught amberjack has long been available, aquaculture now plays a major role in meeting global demand. More than 150,000 tonnes are farmed each year, with the Japanese amberjack (S. quinqueradiata) making up about 80% of this total. Most are raised in ocean pens in Japan and Korea, but the other species are also increasingly farmed around the world.

Today, there’s growing interest in raising Seriola species in land-based tanks using recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Countries like Australia, Chile, Germany, and the United States are currently running trials. Amberjack are especially well-suited to this method thanks to their strong schooling behavior, ability to tolerate high densities, fast growth, established market value, and recent advancements in hatchery production.