What species are high in Omega 3
Almost all fish, including shellfish and crustaceans, contain levels of Omega 3 fatty acids. The table below from the 2007 Handbook Australian Edible Oils highlights 25 species with high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids. Variations on the amounts do occur between species due to their diets. Higher pelagic species such as swordfish and tuna will have higher levels of Omega 3 fatty acids.
Most aquaculture fish contain Omega 3 fatty acids. The levels will be dependent on the feeds used to grow the fish. Atlantic Salmon, for example has a high level of Omega 3 fatty acids whereas a Silver Perch (fresh water) has a lower level.
Rank |
Species |
Marketing name |
Scientific name |
Oil (%) |
Total Omega-3 LC PUFA (mg/150g) |
1 |
Tuna |
Slender Tuna |
Allothunnus fallai |
16.5 |
5640 |
2 |
Swordfish |
Swordfish |
Xiphias gladius |
7.7 |
1530 |
3 |
Morwong |
Banded Morwong |
Cheilodactylus spectabilis |
3.2 |
1230 |
4 |
Redfish |
Alfonsino |
Beryx splendens |
5.2 |
1195 |
5 |
Whitebait |
Whitebait |
Lovettia sealii |
2.6 |
1100 |
6 |
Trevally |
Bigeye Trevally |
Caranx sexfasciatus |
4.7 |
1065 |
7 |
Whitebait |
Whitebait |
Galaxias maculatus |
3.3 |
1030 |
8 |
Mackerel |
Blue Mackerel |
Scomberomorus astralasicus |
3.8 |
760 |
9 |
Australian Bonito |
Australian Bonito |
Sarda australis |
1.5 |
650 |
10 |
Gemfish |
Gemfish |
Rexea solandri |
2.6 |
640 |
11 |
Rudderfish |
Rudderfish |
Centrolophus niger |
14.4 |
620 |
12 |
Mackerel |
Spanish Mackerel |
Scomberomorus commerson |
3 |
575 |
13 |
Sweep |
Sweep |
Scorpis lineolatus |
1.3 |
555 |
14 |
Australian Hering |
Australian Hering |
Arripus georgianus |
1.3 |
540 |
15 |
Grouper |
Western Blue Grouper |
Achoerodus gouldii |
3.6 |
540 |
16 |
Boarfish |
Bigspine Boarfish |
Pentaceros decacanthus |
1.5 |
530 |
17 |
Australian Salmon |
Australian Salmon |
Arripis trutta |
1.1 |
505 |
18 |
Mackerel |
Spotted Mackerel |
Scomberomorus munroi |
1.2 |
500 |
19 |
Mackerel |
School Mackerel |
Scomberomorus queenslandicus |
1.1 |
490 |
20 |
Mackerel |
Grey Mackerel |
Scomberomorus semifasciatus |
1.1 |
490 |
21 |
Tailor |
Tailor |
Pomatomus saltatrix |
1.3 |
490 |
22 |
Emperor |
Threadfin emperor |
Lethrinus genivittatus |
2.6 |
490 |
23 |
Redfish |
Bight Redfish |
Centroberyx gerrardi |
0.5 |
485 |
24 |
Australian Sardine |
Australian Sardine |
Sardinops neopilchardus |
1.2 |
470 |
25 |
Trevalla |
Blue eye trevalla |
Schedophilus labyrinthica |
1.3 |
470 |