SPECIES

Bigeye Ocean Perch

Sebastidae

This classic two-person fish looks as good as it tastes, with a vivid orange-red blush across the skin when fresh. Living in deeper ocean waters off the coast of south east Australia, between depths of 250-800m, Bigeye Ocean Perch has a fine, delicate flake to the flesh and a broad, sweet flavour. An ideal fish for steaming, either whole or filleted. Try using aromatic flavours such as garlic, ginger, and soy to highlight the inherent sweetness in this fish.

DIVE DEEPER

COMMERCIAL NAME

Bigeye Ocean Perch

Method of Capture

Trawl, line, Danish seine

Region

Southern Australia,
Eastern Australia

Other names

Coral Perch, Ocean Perch, Red Gurnard Perch, Red Perch, Red Rock Perch and Sea Perch

Scientific Family

Sebastidae

Seasonality

Available year-round.

Size

Grows to a maximum size of at least 40cm.

Price range

Medium priced.

Alternative Species

Other Perches.

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES

SHOPPING TIPS

Sold whole and in fillet form; look for lustrous skin, firm flesh, and a pleasant, fresh sea smell.

STORAGE TIPS

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

COOKING TIPS

Average yield is 47%. Has a mild flavour (with smaller specimens being slightly stronger flavoured, and fish from estuaries sometime shaving a slightly muddy flavour), low oiliness and moist, firm flesh with large flakes and few bones, which are easily removed.

COOKING METHODS

Steam, poach, deep-fry, pan-fry, stir-fry, bake, grill, barbecue, raw (sashimi). A good plate-sized fish steamed whole.

Flavour pairings

Soy, ginger, garlic, butter, citrus (lemon, lime, mandarin, orange), herbs (including chives, dill, parsley).

IMPORTS

None.
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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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