CarneAtlas

Loup de mervsRobalo

Fish · Different fish, interchangeable

Loup de mer and Robalo are different fish, but they're close enough in the kitchen to stand in for one another.

Loup de mer — whole Moronidae fish

Moronidae

Loup de mer

European sea bass is one of the great naming confusion fish — the same farmed species is called loup de mer in France, lubina in Spain, branzino in Italy, and robalo in Portugal and Brazil. It has delicate white flesh, few bones, and a clean mild flavor. Farmed extensively in the Mediterranean, it is most commonly cooked whole — roasted in salt crust, grilled over open flame, or baked with herbs.

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Robalo — whole Centropomidae fish

Centropomidae

Robalo

Snook is a prized sportfish and eating fish found in warm coastal waters from Mexico through Central America and into Brazil. It has firm, white, mild flesh with excellent flavor. In Mexico it is called robalo and is one of the most sought-after fish for grilling and baking. It is versatile — suitable for garlic preparations, grilling whole, and in tacos.

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Both are prized coastal white fish with mild, firm flesh — snook has a slightly stronger flavor and is found in warmer waters.

Names by country

CountryLoup de merRobalo
🇺🇸United StatesSea bassSnook
🇬🇧United KingdomSea bassSnook
🇫🇷FranceLoup de mer—
🇪🇸SpainLubina—
🇦🇷Argentina—Robalo
🇲🇽MexicoLubinaRobalo
🇵🇹PortugalRobalo—
🇧🇷Brazil—Robalo
🇮🇹ItalyBranzino—
🇩🇪GermanyWolfsbarschSnook

A fish you can order instead

Alaska Gold Halibut Portions from Alaska Gold Seafood

$275.00–$695.00 · Free US shipping (except Hawaii) · Alaska Gold Seafood

Robalo rarely reaches US counters; halibut is the white fillet that cooks like it

  • Line-caught Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis)
  • Boneless 8 oz portions
  • Individually vacuum-sealed, frozen at sea
  • 5, 10 or 20 lb box

Alaska Gold Halibut Portions

View at Alaska Gold Seafood →

Affiliate link — CarneAtlas may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Price checked 31 Aug 2026.

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