The opah, also known as moonfish (family Lampridae), is a large, colorful pelagic fish found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide. Recognized for its unique round body and vibrant hues, the opah is notable as the first fish discovered to have whole-body endothermy, allowing it to regulate its body temperature. While opah is not the focus of large-scale commercial fisheries, it is often caught as bycatch in longline and drift gillnet fisheries targeting tuna and swordfish. The main countries harvesting opah, grouped as “Not Elsewhere Included” (NEI) in FAO statistics, include the United States (primarily Hawaii and the West Coast), Taiwan, Spain, and Portugal, with smaller landings reported from Japan and New Zealand. The opah is valued for its high-quality flesh, which is sold fresh or frozen, and its unique status has led to growing interest in specialty seafood markets, particularly in the United States and parts of Europe.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.