Spot Fish – Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, Recipes

The Spot Fish (Leiostomus xanthurus), also known commonly as the Norfolk spot and the Virginia spot, is a species of small short-lived saltwater fish in the family Sciaenidae. The species inhabits estuary and coastal waters from Massachusetts to Texas and derives its name from the prominent dark spot behind each gill. It is the only species in the genus Leiostomus. Spot are frequently caught by recreational anglers and are good to eat. Their diet consists largely of organic detritus, small crustaceans, and worms. Bloodworms are the ideal bait when fishing for spots. The spot is the natural prey of the following fish: striped bass, flounder, sandbar shark, dogfish shark, weakfish, red drum, black drum, spotted seatrout, Atlantic mackerel, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, barracuda, cobia, black sea bass, and tarpon. The list can go on for some time however these are some of the most known predators of the spot fish.[citation needed]

The Pearl spot, Etroplus suratensis commonly known as “Karimeen” in Kerala is an indigenous fish extensively found along the east and south-west coasts of Peninsular India. It is an important candidate species for aquaculture in ponds in both brackish water and freshwater environments. It is cultured in traditional ponds in Kerala where it is considered a delicacy fetching a high price up to Rs. 150/ kg. Though growth is slow, at a high stocking density table-size fish can be harvested in 9-12 months culture period.

Spot Fish facts

Spot Fish Quick Facts
Name:Spot Fish
Scientific Name:Leiostomus xanthurus
OriginNative to the west central and northwest regions on the Atlantic Ocean
ColorsBluish-gray
ShapesDeep-bodied, compressed
TasteMedium-dense
Calories79 Kcal./cup
Major nutrientsVitamin B-12 (80.00%)
Selenium (42.55%)
Isoleucine (32.66%)
Lysine (32.54%)
Tryptophan (30.00%)
NameSpot Fish
Scientific NameLeiostomus xanthurus
Common/English NameNorfolk spot, Lafayette, Spot, Spot croaker
Name in Other LanguagesDanish: Punkttrommefisk;
French: Tambour croca;
German: Augenfleck-Umber, Zebra-Umberfisch;
Mandarin Chinese: Huáng wěi píngkǒu shíshǒuyú (黃尾平口石首魚), Huáng wěi píngkǒu shí shǒu yú (黄尾平口石首鱼);
Polish: spot;
Portuguese: Roncadeira-pinta;
Russian: спот;
Spanish: croca, Verrugato croca;
Swedish: Slätkväkare
Body shape & sizeDeep-bodied, compressed
Body colorBluish-gray; Length: 36 cm
FlavorLight mild-to-moderate
TasteMedium-dense
Major NutritionsVitamin B-12 (Cobalamine) 1.92 µg (80.00%)
Selenium, Se 23.4 µg (42.55%)
Isoleucine 0.546 g (32.66%)
Lysine 1.088 g (32.54%)
Tryptophan 0.132 g (30.00%)
Threonine 0.52 g (29.55%)
Valine 0.611 g (28.93%)
Histidine 0.349 g (28.33%)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 4.48 mg (28.00%)
Leucine 0.963 g (26.06%)
Calories in 1 fillet (64 g)79 Kcal.

Spot Fish Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Leiostomus xanthurus

RankScientific Name & (Common Name)
KingdomAnimalia (Animal, animaux, animals)
SubkingdomBilateria
InfrakingdomDeuterostomia
PhylumChordata  (Cordés, cordado, chordates)
SubphylumVertebrata  (Vertebrado, vertébrés, vertebrates)
InfraphylumGnathostomata
SuperclassActinopterygii  (Ray-finned fishes, spiny rayed fishes, poisson épineux, poissons à nageoires rayonnées)
ClassTeleostei
SuperorderAcanthopterygii
OrderPerciformes  (Perch-like fishes)
SuborderPercoidei
FamilySciaenidae  (Croakers, drums, roncadores, corbs, courbines, maigres, ombrines, corvinas y berrugatas, drums and croakers, tambours, coakers)
GenusLeiostomus Lacepède, 1802 (Spots)
SpeciesLeiostomus xanthurus Lacepède, 1802 (Spot, croca)
Synonyms
  • Leiostomus humeralis Cuvier, 1830
  • Mugil obliquus Mitchill, 1814
  • Perca edentula Bosc, 1802
  • Sciaena multifasciata Lesueur, 1822

Spot fish is a saltwater fish, short-lived belonging to the Sciaenidae family. These species inhabit the estuary and coastal waters from Massachusetts to Texas and the name is derived from an important dark spot behind each gill. They are caught frequently by recreational anglers. Its diet comprises organic detritus, worms, and small crustaceans. When fishing, bloodworms are used for luring spot fish. This fish is a natural prey for flounder, striped bass, dogfish, sandbar shark, red drum, puppy drum, weakfish, spotted seatrout, black drum, King mackerel, Atlantic mackerel, barracuda, Spanish mackerel, black sea bass, cobia, barracuda, dolphin, tarpon and tautog.It is a deep-bodied and compressed fish having an elevated back. Typically, body-color is bluish-gray dorsally that fades to golden yellow or yellow-tan ventrally. The set of 12 to 15 dark streaks run obliquely from the dorsal surface down the sides to the mid-body. It fades with age. Typically fins are pale yellow in color.  The Head is short having a small and inferior mouth. Maxilla extends to the middle of the eye. The continuous dorsal fin has a notch isolated spinous portion from soft rays. There are 29-35 soft rays and 9-11 dorsal spines. The anal fin has 2 spines and 12 to 13 rays. There are 72 to 77 lateral line scales.

Appearance

Spot fish has a bluish to the gray body having a brassy white belly and 12-15 dark and angled bars across the back. It has a large, distinctive black spot near its gill opening. It has a deep notch and pale fins in its dorsal fin and forked tail fin. Its rounded and high back slopes down to a small head. The lower jaw has no teeth. It could measure 11-12 inches in length.

Predators

Its predators include silversides that may affect postlarval distribution in estuaries. Adult spot and juvenile are the prey of many fishes such as seatrout, sharks, striped bass, mackerels, and flounders.

Reproduction

Spot fish moves offshore to spawn in shallow to middle-shelf waters. The spawning period extends from fall to early spring. The period is October to February in North Carolina and in Florida, from December to March. The spawning exists in the water a little deeper and further offshore. Eggs (one hundred thousand to 1.7 million) are carried shoreward by winds or currents. The external fertilization occurs at night in shallow waters. Larvae rapidly grow in warmer offshore waters. Young ones move into coastal shallows and lower bays during winter where they spend their first year. During summer, young resides in tidal creeks or shallow estuarine areas. They go to deeper estuarine waters or the ocean during winter. They move to areas having lower salinity or freshwater till they are old enough to return back to the saltwater. When the spot becomes 186 to 214 millimeters in length (2 to 3 years), it reaches the age of maturity.

Habitat

They live in salt waters such as brackish water mostly over muddy and sandy floors. Until spring, it lives in estuaries and bays when it migrates to deeper water it spawns in. It moves to water having high salinity during summer and then moves offshore when autumn begins and water starts to cool.

Diet

Spot fish are omnivorous and consumes small crustaceans, benthic invertebrates, animal detritus, and plant. It includes worms, polychaetes, small plankton, small fish, and mollusks.

Distribution

Spot fish is inherent to the west-central and northwest regions of the Atlantic Ocean. It is found along the Gulf of Mexico, along the southern coast of the U.S. from Massachusetts and down to Campeche, Mexico. Literally, it is found in the depth of 6 meters but could also be found up to the depth of 50 meters. It is irregularly found in South Florida, near Cape Cod and the Florida Keys.

Nutritional value of Fish, spot, cooked, dry heat

Serving Size:1 fillet, 50 g

Calories 79 Kcal. Calories from Fat 28.26 Kcal.

ProximityAmount% DV
Water34.59 gN/D
Energy79 KcalN/D
Energy330 kJN/D
Protein11.87 g23.74%
Total Fat (lipid)3.14 g8.97%
Ash0.68 gN/D
MineralsAmount% DV
Calcium, Ca9 mg0.90%
Iron, Fe0.2 mg2.50%
Magnesium, Mg27 mg6.43%
Phosphorus, P119 mg17.00%
Potassium, K318 mg6.77%
Sodium, Na18 mg1.20%
Zinc, Zn0.33 mg3.00%
Copper, Cu0.029 mg3.22%
Manganese, Mn0.022 mg0.96%
Selenium, Se23.4 µg42.55%
VitaminsAmount% DV
Water soluble Vitamins
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.092 mg7.67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.134 mg10.31%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)4.263 mg26.64%
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.432 mg8.64%
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)0.231 mg17.77%
Vitamin B9 (Folate)3 µg0.75%
Folate, food3 µgN/D
Folate, DEF3 µgN/D
Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamine)1.73 µg72.08%
Fat soluble Vitamins
Vitamin A, RAE18 µg2.57%
Vitamin A, IU58 IUN/D
Retinol18 µgN/D
LipidsAmount% DV
Fatty acids, total saturated0.929 gN/D
Myristic acid  14:00(Tetradecanoic acid)0.07 gN/D
Palmitic acid 16:00 (Hexadecanoic acid)0.66 gN/D
Stearic acid 18:00 (Octadecanoic acid)0.199 gN/D
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated0.853 gN/D
Palmitoleic acid 16:1 (hexadecenoic acid)0.295 gN/D
Oleic acid 18:1 (octadecenoic acid)0.558 gN/D
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated0.699 gN/D
Linoleic acid 18:2 (octadecadienoic acid)0.025 gN/D
Linolenic acid 18:3 (Octadecatrienoic acid)0.013 gN/D
18:040.102 gN/D
20:4 undifferentiated0.077 gN/D
20:5 n-3 (EPA)0.141 gN/D
22:5 n-3 (DPA)0.077 gN/D
22:6 n-3 (DHA)0.263 gN/D
Cholesterol38 mgN/D
Amino acidsAmount% DV
Tryptophan0.133 g30.23%
Threonine0.52 g29.55%
Isoleucine0.547 g32.72%
Leucine0.965 g26.11%
Lysine1.089 g32.57%
Methionine0.351 gN/D
Cystine0.127 gN/D
Phenylalanine0.463 gN/D
Tyrosine0.401 gN/D
Valine0.612 g28.98%
Arginine0.71 gN/D
Histidine0.349 g28.33%
Alanine0.718 gN/D
Aspartic acid1.215 gN/D
Glutamic acid1.772 gN/D
Glycine0.57 gN/D
Proline0.419 gN/D
Serine0.484 gN/D

*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not healthbenefitstimes.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs.

Health Benefits of spot fish

  1. Child’s Brain Growth – One of the substances that supports the growth of a child’s brain is the fish oil inside spot fish. The contents such as DHA and EPA turn out to have positive responses for neurocognitive in children. This research was done on June 29th-30th 2011 at the ISSFAL (International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids) Congress in Stockholm.
  2. Prevent Stroke – There are many health benefits of spot fish that you should know. Omega 3 is also useful to be a medicine and also prevent stroke. The contents in it are able to decrease stroke emulsion up to 21% and decrease stroke severity up to 50%. In an ISSFAL Congress, it was also mentioned that fatty acid omega 3 nutrition is capable to increase brain cells’ function and decrease nerves inflammation. This is also supported by that consuming two to four portions of fish per day can help to avoid the risks of developing stroke. Fish’s meat can indeed give benefits to many people, such as the health benefits van joram fish, as well as health benefits, make fish.
  1. Decrease the Risk of Heart Disease – Another health benefit of spot fish, that is offered by omega 3 is to decrease the risk of heart failure. One of the causes of heart disease is the spots that happen on the blood vessels. With linoleate acid, then, or commonly known as omega 3, can help to control and prevent the spots from developing.
  2. Control the Cholesterol Level – The accumulation of cholesterol because of bad fats such as saturated fat on foods can keep on increasing as we are adulating. Therefore, we need to control by consuming foods that can bind the cholesterol. One of the foods is this spot fish that contains, again, omega 3.
  1. Perfect Diet Menu – For those of you who want to maintain your weight or are on your diet, it is suggested to consume the spot fish. The contents in this fish have zero carbohydrates and calories, thus will not get in the way of your diet. Even the proteins inside the fish can help your body to fix the broken tissues instead. The proteins inside the fish have a short chain anyways, making it easy for the body to process it. There are also some other weight loss foods that you can try in case you are not really into this pomfret fish.
  2. Take Care of Anemia – One of the substances inside spot fish is the iron that goes up to 2 mg. The function of iron itself is to help to recast and reproducing the hemoglobin. Hb (hemoglobin) is the one in charge to decide the normalcy of erythrocytes (red blood cells), which can surely help those of you who are suffering from anemia.
  3. Help Growth – Nowadays, a lot of parents are stimulating their children’s growth by giving them additional supplements. However, it will be better if we stimulate it naturally. Such as giving the kids balanced nutrition, one of the ways to do this is by giving them the spot fish. The contents of vitamin D in it can also help children to grow taller. The health benefits of baby banana can also be an alternative for you to help with, especially, children’s growth.
  4. Strengthening Body’s Immune System – Another benefit of spot fish is to protect and maintain the body’s immune system. The content of calcipotriol in vitamin D that is produced by the pomfret fish can also function as an immune system modulator. This nutrition is well-fitted for those of you who are easy to catch a cold, flu, cough, or even headache.
  5. Decrease the Risk of Breast Cancer – Breast cancer is one of the diseases that are very difficult to cure. Therefore, we need to take some steps in order to avoid this cancer. This can be done in many ways such as consuming the spot fish. This fish is capable to prevent cancer cells from multiplying in your body.
  6. Help You Stays Young – Rejuvenating skin to make it stays beautiful and elastic is certainly what every woman always hoping for. One of the tips to do this, is, by consuming foods that contain vitamin D, such as spot fish. By consuming the fish every day, then the vitamin D can help to rejuvenate your skin and makes it look healthier and fresher. Even the vitamin D2 and D3 types are capable to decrease the risk of skin diseases such as psoriasis.
  7. Osteomalacia Medicine – Osteomalacia is a disease that attacks the tissues of the human body. The cause of this is the abnormality function of tissue when it is processing the development of minerals on the bones. This can make the bones weak and very easy to break, which usually happens in adults. The solution to this disease is by consuming spot fish that have vitamin D in them as well as exposing yourself to the sunlight.
  8. Prevent Rachitic – If osteomalacia usually attacks the adults, rachitic is a bone disease that usually attacks the children. The main cause of this disease is lacking vitamin D and minerals in the bones, thus disturbing the development of the bones. The disease will make the bones weak and not strong enough. One of the solutions to this is to let the children consume foods with vitamin D in them such as spot fish and exposure to the sunlight as well.
  9. Decrease Dementia Risk – For those of you who can afford to consume fish every day, this may be a way to decrease the risk of developing dementia such as Alzheimer’s. This disease attacks the memory or storage media since it degrades the brain cells that can make the patient suffer severe memory loss. One of the ways to prevent this is by consuming fish for its omega 3 content (DHA and EPA). It can help stimulate your brain tissues and cells. If you happen to notice some symptoms of dementia within your body or people around you, don’t forget to go consume spot fish immediately.
  10. Decrease Depression – Consuming the pomfret fish every day will allow you to decrease the risks of depression. This can be said since one of the causes of depression is a low level of omega 3 fatty acid. Therefore, consuming his fish every day can help you to make sure that you have the omega 3 you needed. There you go to know the health benefits of sport fish.

Recipes 1

Ingredients

 2 servings
  • 2 pearl spot fish/karimeen
  • as per taste salt
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1/2 tsp kashmiri chilli powder
  • 1/2 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
  • 1/2 tsp fennel seed powder
  • 2 tsp white vinegar
  • coconut oil as required for shallow fry

Steps

  • Wash and clean the fish, give slits on both sides of the fish, mix all the spices and salt, add vinegar and make the paste apply this masala paste thoroughly on fish, cover it and let it rest for at least an hour
  • Heat up coconut oil for the shallow fry, fry both sides on medium flame, until fish is cooked nicely…enjoy,

Recipes 2

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 Medium size Pearlspot/Karimeen
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger-garlic paste
  • 3 teaspoons Kashmiri Chilli powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon Vinegar
  • to taste Salt
  • as required Water

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Score the fish on both sides and keep aside
  • In a bowl, mix the ginger-garlic paste, chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt and vinegar with enough water to form a smooth paste.
  • Apply on either side of the fish, making sure to fill in the gashes.
  • Cover and keep aside for at least 30 minutes. The more you keep, the better
  • Heat a pan on medium-low
  • Add 4 tablespoons (or more) oil.
  • Add a few curry leaves. This is to keep the fish from sticking to the pan
  • Place the fish
  • Cover and cook for 4-6 minutes or till you get the desired crunch
  • Flip the fish
  • Continue cooking till the other side is also done.
  • Remove from the pan and serve hot.

Precautions                                                                                                 

  • The consumption of Tilapia if one is trying to reduce inflammatory diseases such as heart disease.
  • Farmed ones contain arsenic that leads to arsenic poisoning.
  • Farmed tilapia results in to increase in inflammation leading to weight gain, arthritis and heart diseases.
  • The imbalance ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3 causes heart disease and hypertension.
  • Tilapia in farms have polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organophosphorus (OPs), organochlorine (OC), trifluralin pesticides, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) causing diseases or even death.

References

      RxHarun
      Logo