The High Hat (Pareques acuminatus) is a small, striking marine fish found primarily in the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Recognizable by its elongated dorsal fin and bold black and white stripes, the High Hat inhabits coral reefs and rocky bottoms. While not a major commercial species, it is occasionally caught as bycatch in artisanal and small-scale fisheries, particularly in countries like the United States (especially Florida), Cuba, the Bahamas, and other Caribbean nations. In these regions, the High Hat is sometimes harvested for local consumption or the aquarium trade rather than large-scale commercial purposes. The fishing industry targeting High Hat is limited, with most catches occurring incidentally alongside more commercially valuable reef fish. As such, the species is more significant in local subsistence and ornamental markets than in global seafood trade.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States of America | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.