Pacific Sanddab — what to know, when & where to find it
Photo courtesy of NOAA Fisheries.
Pacific Sanddab
(year-round)
The Pacific Sanddab is a species of flatfish, light brown in color with occasional white or orange spots. They’re a “left-eyed” flounder, with both eyes on the left side of the Sanddab’s head. They are bottom-dwelling fish, ranging from Baja to the Bering Sea, and although they can be found in depths of 30 to 1800 feet, they are most abundant between 120-300 feet. They feed on smaller fish, squid, eggs, and crustaceans. Sanddabs are usually caught commercially by bottom trawlers and occasionally by smaller boats with hook and line.
The meat of a Pacific Sanddab is mild, sweet, and low in fat with a savory skin, which is excellent when served crispy—Sanddab sandwiches are a local favorite! Sanddabs are small, most ranging from 7-10 inches and about 1lb when fully mature, but have been found as large as 16 inches and 2 lbs. They’re excellent when pan-fried, broiled, or baked and served with a simple side salad or veggie dish.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council manages Pacific Sanddabs with annual catch limits and individual fishing quotas (IFQs).
Source: NOAA Fisheries
Buying Tips
• Ask for fresh, local Sanddab or buy it straight from local fishermen.
• Be adventurous and try de-boning a whole Sanddab (see video below).
• Filets can be small and delicate so handle with care.
Seafood Illustration courtesy of “Monterey Bay Aquarium®
Sanddab Recipes
How to Cook Pacific Sanddab
(The Spruce Eats)
Pan-Fried Sanddabs
(Giovanni’s Fish Market & Galley)
Herb-Seared Sanddabs with Arugula & Tomato Salad
(Real Good Fish)
VIDEO: How to Cook & DeBone a Sanddab (courtesy of Real Good Fish)
Where & When to Find Pacific Sanddab
Fresh Pacific Sanddabs are accessible year-round.
You can buy Sanddabs at local restaurants, grocery stores, fish markets, and if you’re lucky, directly from fishermen selling off the boat.
Check out our Local Catch page for more information, or check out our recipes page for tips on how to store, prepare, and cook Sanddabs and other seafood.
Want a fun calendar to remind you of what is in season here in Monterey Bay? Download + print our seafood seasonality guide (downloadable pdf).