The Blue Sea Chub (genus Kyphosus), also known as rudderfish or sea chubs, are robust, oval-shaped fish found in subtropical and tropical coastal waters worldwide, often grazing on algae in rocky reefs and seagrass beds. While not as globally prominent as commercial species like tuna or salmon, Blue Sea Chubs are important in regional fisheries, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic regions. The top countries harvesting Blue Sea Chub species include Japan, Australia, and Mexico, where they are caught for local consumption and sometimes for export, valued for their firm, mild-flavored flesh. In Japan, Kyphosus species are part of coastal fisheries, while in Australia, they are targeted by both commercial and recreational fishers along the eastern and northern coasts. Mexico’s Pacific coast also supports a modest fishery for these chubs. Although not a major export commodity, Blue Sea Chubs contribute to the diversity and sustainability of small-scale fisheries in these countries.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.