Skip to content

Search

Popular pages

How to catch Atlantic goldeneye tilefish

Caulolatilus chrysops (Valenciennes, 1833)

About Atlantic goldeneye tilefish fishing

The Atlantic goldeneye tilefish is a marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Malacanthidae, found in the western Atlantic Ocean over rubble bottoms of shell and coral fragments. It features a sturdy, quadrangular body with a violet hue, a pale yellow tint on the back, a silvery sheen on the lower flanks, and a distinctive bright yellow streak running from beneath the eye to the nostrils accompanied by a blue line. Growing to a maximum total length of sixty centimetres with a more common length of forty-four centimetres, this demersal species inhabits deeper waters ranging from seventy-six to two hundred and forty-four metres. It forages on or just above the substrate, feeding primarily on crustaceans and other invertebrates alongside small fishes, and is known to be a remarkably long-lived species reaching ages of thirty to thirty-five years.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    44 cm TL

  • Market value

    Very high

  • Habitat

    Saltwater

  • Also known as

    Atlantic goldeye tilefish, Goldface Tilefish, Goldface tilefish

Atlantic goldeneye tilefish

Golden eye margin

Bright golden-yellow ring around the eye distinguishes this tilefish species.

Spotted caudal fin

Yellow caudal fin bears distinct small orange spots across its membrane.

Blue facial stripe

Iridescent blue stripe curves below the eye across the golden cheek.

Atlantic goldeneye tilefish fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    44 cm TL (max 60 cm TL )

  • Typical weight

    0.4 kg (max 2.4 kg )

  • Preferred temperature

    17.1–25.2 °C

  • Depth

    76–244 m

  • Longevity

    35 years

  • Body shape

    Fusiform / Normal

  • Commercial?

  • Vulnerability score

    48.8

How to catch Atlantic goldeneye tilefish

Tips for catching Atlantic goldeneye tilefish

Targeting this deep-dwelling demersal species requires heavy bottom-fishing tackle capable of reaching soft substrate zones far offshore. Anglers deploy multi-hook drop rigs weighted with heavy leads to maintain contact with the seabed over shell and coral rubble layers. Fresh cut strips of squid or oily fish serve as the most effective presentations, appealing directly to the bottom-feeding habits of the fish. Patience is essential when waiting for a bite at significant depths, and managing boat drift helps cover productive bottom structure efficiently.

Other names for Atlantic goldeneye tilefish

Local and alternate names anglers use for Atlantic goldeneye tilefish.

  • Atlantic goldeneye tilefish
  • Goldface tilefish
  • Atlantic goldeye tilefish

Best equipment to catch Atlantic goldeneye tilefish

Compare fishing methods for Atlantic goldeneye tilefish — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 0.4 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Atlantic goldeneye tilefish

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

Diet and behavior of Atlantic goldeneye tilefish

  • Diet

    Carnivore

  • Feeds by

    Mixed feeder

Prey and predators of Atlantic goldeneye tilefish

Prey is what Atlantic goldeneye tilefish eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.

That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.

Prey

What it eats

Other prey

  • unspecified crustaceans juv./adults
  • unspecified invertebrates juv./adults
  • unspecified small finfishes juv./adults

Where Atlantic goldeneye tilefish lives

Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.

Habitats
Saltwater
Depth zone
Sublittoral, Bathyal
76–244 m
Water column
Demersal
On or near the bed

Where this species lives