Highest-Protein Fish, Ranked Per Serving (2026)

The highest-protein fish per serving is Cooked Farmed Coho Salmon with 34.7 g, followed closely by Spanish Mackerel at 34.4 g.

This post ranks fish based on protein content per typical serving, utilizing data from USDA FoodData Central. The focus is on whole foods that contribute to dietary patterns supporting muscle health and satiety.

Why Protein Matters for Muscle, Satiety, and Weight Management

Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth, making it a key nutrient for those engaged in physical activity. Additionally, high-protein foods are often associated with increased satiety, which can aid in weight management by reducing overall calorie intake. Including protein-rich foods in your diet can help maintain muscle mass during weight loss. This is educational information, not medical advice.

Highest-Protein Fish, Ranked Per Serving

Below is a ranked list of fish based on protein content per serving.

#	Food	Typical serving	Protein/serving (g)	Protein/100 g (g)	Calories (kcal)	Fat (g)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)
1	Cooked Farmed Coho Salmon	1 serving (143 g)	34.7	24.3	255	11.8	0.0	0.0
2	Spanish Mackerel (cooked)	1 serving (146 g)	34.4	23.6	231	9.2	0.0	0.0
3	Rainbow Trout (cooked)	1 fish (143 g)	32.8	22.9	215	8.3	0.0	0.0
4	Smoked Whitefish	1 serving (136 g)	31.8	23.4	147	1.3	0.0	0.0
5	American Shad (cooked)	1 serving (144 g)	31.3	21.7	363	25.4	0.0	0.0
6	Cooked Striped Bass	1 serving (124 g)	28.2	22.7	154	3.7	0.0	0.0
7	Cooked Wild Channel Catfish	1 serving (143 g)	26.4	18.5	150	4.1	0.0	0.0
8	Cooked Channel Catfish	1 piece (143 g)	26.4	18.4	206	10.3	0.0	0.0
9	Cooked Bluefin Tuna	3 servings (85 g)	25.4	29.9	156	5.3	0.0	0.0
10	Yellowfin Tuna (cooked)	3 servings (85 g)	24.8	29.1	111	0.5	0.0	0.0
11	Cooked Sea Bass	1 serving (101 g)	23.9	23.6	125	2.6	0.0	0.0
12	Cooked Wild Coho Salmon	3 fillets (85 g)	23.3	27.4	156	6.4	0.0	0.0
13	Tilapia (cooked)	1 serving (87 g)	22.8	26.1	111	2.3	0.0	0.0
14	Canned Sockeye Salmon (drained)	1 serving (85 g)	22.4	26.3	134	5.0	0.0	0.0
15	Chum Salmon (cooked)	3 pieces (85 g)	21.9	25.8	131	4.1	0.0	0.0

How Nutrola Tracks Protein for You

Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macronutrients, including protein, from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging.

For related references, see highest-protein foods, highest-protein poultry.

How We Compiled These Numbers

Data was sourced from USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy and Foundation Foods. The protein values are based on typical serving sizes using USDA household weights, and the protein content is normalized per 100 g. Each entry represents a single food item, providing educational information, not medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the protein content of Cooked Farmed Coho Salmon?

Cooked Farmed Coho Salmon contains 34.7 g of protein per serving.

Which fish has the second highest protein content?

Spanish Mackerel has 34.4 g of protein per serving.

How much protein does Rainbow Trout provide?

Rainbow Trout offers 32.8 g of protein per serving.

What is the protein content of Smoked Whitefish?

Smoked Whitefish contains 31.8 g of protein per serving.

How much protein is in Cooked Striped Bass?

Cooked Striped Bass provides 28.2 g of protein per serving.

What is the protein content of Cooked Wild Channel Catfish?

Cooked Wild Channel Catfish has 26.4 g of protein per serving.

Key Takeaways

• Cooked Farmed Coho Salmon: 34.7 g protein per serving.
• Spanish Mackerel: 34.4 g protein per serving.
• Rainbow Trout: 32.8 g protein per serving.
• Smoked Whitefish: 31.8 g protein per serving.
• American Shad: 31.3 g protein per serving.
• Cooked Striped Bass: 28.2 g protein per serving.