In the coastal waters near Homer, Alaska, a fisherman’s routine outing turned into an unexpected international talking point. Joe Chmeleck, owner of The Lodge at Otter Cove, reeled in a rock greenling with unusually vivid blue flesh—a sight so striking it drew attention from researchers as far away as Japan.
Though the fish is not rare in local waters, its unusual coloration sparked a wave of scientific and public fascination, all beginning with one photo posted online.
A Fisherman’s Surprise
Chmeleck had seen a fish like this before. In a previous season, he caught a similarly blue rock greenling but released it, unsure of its identity and concerned by its brightness—a trait often associated with toxicity in tropical species. Having lived in Hawaii for 11 years, he was cautious, handling it with a towel, photographing it, and letting it go. This time, however, the catch stayed in the spotlight.
Bright Color, No Danger
The rock greenling is native to the nearshore waters of Kachemak Bay and is typically reddish-brown with red spotting. The blue flesh variant is uncommon but not unheard of.
According to Mike Booz, sportfish area manager for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the coloration is likely due to genetics, and possibly influenced by diet or ultraviolet light. Despite its vivid blue hue, the meat is safe to eat and turns white when cooked. Chmeleck compared its flavor to rainbow trout.
Scientists Take Notice
After Chmeleck shared an image of the fish on social media, the post was shared nearly 4,000 times. He began receiving messages from researchers and journalists across the globe.
Among them was a group of Japanese scientists interested in studying the blue pigment for potential medicinal applications. What started as a colorful anomaly soon became a subject of international scientific curiosity.
Common Fish, Uncommon Buzz
Though rock greenlings are a familiar species in the region, Booz confirms that a few blue-fleshed specimens turn up each season during king salmon trolling. The excitement surrounding Chmeleck’s catch surprised locals, many of whom have encountered the fish before.
Chmeleck has since returned to the waters twice in hopes of catching another but hasn’t had success. “It’s sort of crazy how popular it is,” he said, noting that while the fish isn’t rare, this one happened to go viral.
When a fisherman in Homer, Alaska reeled in a blue-fleshed rock greenling, he didn’t expect the photo to go viral or scientists from Japan to reach out.
The vivid fish, native to Kachemak Bay, sparked global attention and raised questions about its unusual color…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/pcBFmO8al1
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) June 25, 2025