Beautiful Fish: Stickfish -By Al Bezanson

The stickfish was first reported in 1954, hence not included in Fishes of the Gulf Maine by Bigelow and Schroeder (1953).  This curious fish is included here because the first specimen showed up in a trawl from a Gloucester dragger [M.A.T.W] The stickfish has neither scales nor armor plates, rather a thickish, rough skin that provides camouflage.  Color – brown to golden brown; mean length 3.5 to 4 inches with little variability.  Largest specimen on record is 6.4 inches.  Stickfish are often observed in schools.   Said to be an acceptable table fish, and like smelts, convenient, with no need for filleting and skinning.  Some have mentioned that the odd, rough skin has a crispy texture and pleasant flavor.