On Tue, 14 Sep 2004 10:56:47 +0100, The Reids wrote:

> Following up to Ian Northeast
>
>>I don't think a Chilean Sea Bass/Icefish/Patagonian Toothfish/Mero has
>>jewelled scales either. It's a cod like thing (but even more endangered).
>
> The Spanish Mero I have seen does not have bright scales. The fish I
> bought as Icefish in Waitrose had bright scales and my Mexican cookbook
> shows a fish with bright large golden scales which it calls a Bass,
> alongside a recipe for "lobina". Basically, fish names are confusing!

The "Mero" I was referring to is the Japanese name for a Patagonian
Toothfish so the Spanish one is probably not the same thing. But
"Icefish" is the English term so an Icefish in Waitrose definitely should
be one, so I may be wrong. I've never seen a whole one in the flesh,
I've only seen fillets, I'm just going on pictures of them I have seen
which all look pretty dull.

Yes, the names of this fish in particular are certainly confusing.
"Chilean Sea Bass" is the American term. It is neither Chilean nor a Bass.
The "Chilean" bit I assume comes from many of the US imports being caught
(usually illegaly I think) by Chilean vessels sailing down to the
Antarctic; I have no idea where the "Bass" is from. I also have no idea
whether what the Mexicans call a Bass is the same thing or not. How big is
the fish in your picture? A Patagonian Toothfish (I like that name because
it is unambiguous) is pretty big. Much bigger than a Bass.

It's also a pity this fish is so endangered. It's excellent eating but
highly ecologically unsound to encourage its fishing, so I don't eat it
any more.

Regards, Ian