Butterfish Facts

Butterfish is a small, round fish distinguishable by its thin, deep body and lack of pelvic or ventral fins. Butterfish has a soft-rayed dorsal fin running along the length of its back and an anal fin almost as long. Its tail is deeply forked, and the pectoral fins are long and pointed. Butterfishes are found in warm and temperate seas and are categorized by a small mouth, forked tail, and a single dorsal fin. Like the related rudderfishes (Centrolophidae) and man-of-war fishes (Nomeidae), they also have peculiar, toothed outpocketings in the esophagus. It is considered a source of iodine, an essential nutrient for human health. The delicate and delicious butterfish, endemic to New Zealand, is a source of several nutrients important for human health.