Palm Ruff
Cojinoba is a native Chilean marine fish that has fed coastal communities from the Coquimbo region northward for generations.
A schooling, open-water species, it supports small-scale artisanal fisheries along Chile's Pacific coast and is one of the most consumed local fish in northern Chile.
Wild catches have declined significantly in recent decades, pushing researchers toward aquaculture as an alternative.
Scientific Name: Seriolella violacea
Also known as Cojinoba
- Oval, moderately deep body, noticeably compressed side-to-side; dark blue-grey on top with silver highlights on the flanks and belly.
- Round snout, large eye with a gold iris, and a single dorsal fin with low, strong spines — the middle spines are the tallest.
- Long, pointed pectoral fins that reach nearly to the vent; tail distinctly forked; scales small and shed easily when handled.
- Common fish run around 35 cm; maximum recorded size is 65 cm.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the eastern South Pacific — found along Chile's coast from the far north down toward the central coast, and ranging north to Colombia and the Galápagos.
- An epipelagic (near-surface, open-water) species that also ventures into coastal and near-coastal zones; recorded from the surface down to around 500 m.
- Juveniles shelter under drifting jellyfish and floating weed mats; adults school in open water away from structure.
- Aquaculture research and small-scale cage culture have been concentrated in the Coquimbo region of northern Chile.
Key Locations
- Coquimbo region — the center of both artisanal fishery activity and aquaculture research for this species in Chile.
- Northern Chile coast generally — the range where cojinoba is most commonly caught and consumed by local communities.
Specific Spots
- Schools of adults roam open water — look for them near jellyfish aggregations or floating debris lines, which concentrate both prey and fish.
- Juveniles associate tightly with drifting jellyfish; where you find jellyfish near the surface, young cojinoba are often underneath.
- Inshore, fish work current edges and upwelling zones where zooplankton and small baitfish pile up.
Palm Ruff FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Palm Ruff?
Small metal jigs and sabiki-style rigs work well on schooling fish, the same approach used for other open-water schooling species along the Chilean coast. Small soft plastics in white, silver, or translucent colors imitate the salps and small baitfish cojinoba feed on near the surface.
When is the best time to fish for Palm Ruff?
Sources do not specify peak seasons for recreational or artisanal fishing in Chile; availability is tied more to school movements and upwelling cycles than to a fixed calendar.
How do you catch Palm Ruff?
Artisanal fishers in northern Chile target cojinoba from small boats, working near-surface schools with jigs, sabiki rigs, and bait. Finding active schools, often near jellyfish aggregations or upwelling zones, is the key step before any particular technique matters.
What do Palm Ruff eat?
Feeds on jellyfish, salps, zooplankton, and small fish, a mix of soft-bodied prey and baitfish that makes soft plastics, small jigs, and baitfish-imitating lures the logical conventional choices.
Where do Palm Ruff live?
Native to the eastern South Pacific, found along Chile's coast from the far north down toward the central coast, and ranging north to Colombia and the Galápagos. An epipelagic (near-surface, open-water) species that also ventures into coastal and near-coastal zones; recorded from the surface down to around 500 m.
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