SPECIES

Ribbonfish

Trapchipteridae

Perfectly at home over one kilometre deep in the south eastern half of Australia, the Ribbonfish is of the deepest-sea fish available in Australia. Similar to the better-known Hairtail, this fish is aptly named with a long, skinny, chrome body that can grow up to 2.2m in length and presents a range of opportunities for the home cook. Ribbonfish is great when marinated and grilled, or thrown in at the end of making a light soup to poach in the residual heat of the liquid.

When very fresh, the Ribbonfish also makes for excellent sashimi. Sydney Chef Raita Noda will take a small piece of shoulder fillet, score just through the skin as many times as possible, then blowtorch the skin, leaving the flesh mostly raw. Remarkable!

DIVE DEEPER

COMMERCIAL NAME

Ribbonfish

Method of Capture

Trawl

Region

Eastern Australia,
Southern Australia

Other names

Blackflash Ribbonfish, Dealfish, Deal-fish, Jackson Dealfish, Port Jackson Ribbon-fish, Ribbonfish, Southern Ribbon-fish

Scientific Family

Trapchipteridae

Seasonality

Available year round.

Size

Can grow up to 2.2 metres long.

Price range

Low priced.

Alternative Species

Hairtail.

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES

SHOPPING TIPS

Sold whole and as trunks. Look for lustrous, undamaged skin, firm flesh, and a pleasant, fresh sea smell.

STORAGE TIPS

Make sure whole fish is gutted and cleaned thoroughly. Wrap whole fish and fillets in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze whole fish for up to 6 months, and fillets for up to 3 months, below -18ºC.

COOKING TIPS

Flesh has a mild, slightly briny, oceanic flavour. The texture is delicate, with white, flaky meat.

COOKING METHODS

Poach, grill, barbecue, deep-fry, braise, or smoke. Protect their thin body when barbecuing or grilling by wrapping in foil or banana leaves

Flavour pairings

Soy, ginger, garlic, wasabi, sesame oil, tamarind.

IMPORTS

Sometimes imported from South-East Asia.
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Developed with the assistance of grant funds from the Eat More NSW Seafood grant program, led by NSWDPI and NSWSIC.

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