What Candlefish Is and Where to Find It in South Carolina

Candlefish is a small saltwater fish used to make candles, not a candle brand you'll find in stores

Candlefish refers to several species of small, oily fish—primarily eulachon (also called smelt) and capelin—that were historically rendered into oil and burned as candles before petroleum and paraffin wax became standard. The fish are so rich in fat that they burn with a flame when dried and lit whole, which is why Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest and other coastal regions used them for light for centuries. Today, candlefish are rarely used for candle-making in South Carolina or anywhere else in the United States, though the term persists in historical texts and occasionally appears in specialty candle shops as a reference to traditional methods.

If you've seen "candlefish" mentioned while browsing candle stores in South Carolina, it's likely either a historical reference in educational materials, a product name chosen for its evocative quality, or a misunderstanding of what the shop actually sells. Modern candles sold in South Carolina—whether in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, or smaller towns—are made from paraffin wax, soy wax, beeswax, or blended waxes, not from fish oil.

Key Takeaways

• Candlefish were historically used by coastal Indigenous peoples to make light, but this practice ended centuries ago in North America.
• Modern candle shops in South Carolina sell candles made from wax (paraffin, soy, or beeswax), not fish oil.
• If you encounter the term "candlefish" in a candle store, it's usually a historical reference or a creative product name, not a literal ingredient.
• South Carolina's candle makers focus on scent, design, and local materials like beeswax from regional beekeepers.

The history of candlefish in North America

Eulachon and capelin were abundant in the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest and northern Atlantic coasts. Indigenous peoples, particularly the Tlingit, Haida, and other Northwest Coast nations, dried these fish and burned them whole as candles—a practice documented for centuries before European contact. The fish's high oil content made them ideal for this purpose; a single dried fish could burn steadily for hours.

European colonists and later American settlers adopted the practice in coastal regions, rendering candlefish oil into a liquid fuel that could be burned in lamps. However, this method never became widespread in the South, where whale oil (from whaling operations) and later petroleum products dominated the market. By the mid-1800s, paraffin wax—a byproduct of petroleum refining—became cheap and abundant, and candlefish fell out of use almost entirely.

Today, candlefish are still caught commercially in small quantities in Alaska and Canada, primarily for food and animal feed, not candle-making. The term survives mainly in historical societies, museums, and educational contexts.

Why South Carolina candle makers don't use candlefish

Candlefish are not available in South Carolina waters, and importing them for candle-making would be impractical and expensive. The fish are cold-water species found in the Pacific Northwest and northern Atlantic, thousands of miles from South Carolina's coast. Modern candle-makers have no reason to source them when paraffin wax, soy wax, and beeswax are readily available, affordable, and produce consistent results.

South Carolina's candle industry—which includes shops in Charleston, Beaufort, and throughout the Lowcountry—focuses on scent, design, and local sourcing where possible. Many small makers use beeswax from South Carolina beekeepers, or soy wax made from American soybeans. These materials align with contemporary consumer preferences for sustainability and local production, whereas candlefish oil would appeal only to those seeking historical authenticity, a niche market that doesn't support a commercial candle business.

What to expect when shopping for candles in South Carolina

When you walk into a candle shop in South Carolina, you'll encounter candles made from paraffin wax (the most common and affordable), soy wax (marketed as plant-based and often locally made), beeswax (premium, long-burning, and sometimes sourced from regional apiaries), or blends of these materials. Labels will list the wax type, fragrance notes, and burn time. Some shops emphasize hand-poured candles, natural ingredients, or scents inspired by South Carolina's landscape—like salt marsh, pine forest, or sweet tea.

If you're curious about historical candle-making methods, some museums and heritage sites in South Carolina—such as Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site or living history programs—may demonstrate traditional techniques, though these typically focus on tallow candles (made from animal fat) rather than candlefish oil, as tallow was more common in colonial South Carolina.

Where candlefish appear in candle store contexts

You might encounter the word "candlefish" in a few specific situations. Some specialty candle shops use it as a poetic or historical product name—for example, a candle scented to evoke ocean air might be called "Candlefish" without containing any actual fish. Educational displays in museums or heritage centers may explain the historical use of candlefish by Indigenous peoples and early colonists. Occasionally, online candle retailers or blogs reference candlefish when discussing the history of candle-making, which can create confusion if you're searching for a specific product.

If you're shopping in a South Carolina candle store and see "candlefish" on a label or description, ask the shopkeeper what it refers to. They'll clarify whether it's a scent name, a historical reference, or something else entirely. Transparency about ingredients is standard practice in the candle industry, so any reputable maker will explain what's actually in their product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are candlefish candles sold in South Carolina?

No. Candlefish are not used to make candles anywhere in the modern United States, including South Carolina. If you see the term in a candle shop, it's a product name or historical reference, not an actual ingredient. Modern candles are made from paraffin wax, soy wax, beeswax, or blends of these materials.

Did people in colonial South Carolina use candlefish?

Unlikely. Candlefish were primarily used by Indigenous peoples and colonists in the Pacific Northwest and northern Atlantic regions where the fish were abundant. Colonial South Carolina relied on tallow candles (made from animal fat) and later on whale oil imported from northern whaling ports. Candlefish oil never became common in the South.

Can I buy candlefish oil to make my own candles?

Candlefish oil is not commercially available for candle-making in the United States. If you're interested in historical candle-making methods, paraffin wax, soy wax, and beeswax are all readily available from craft suppliers and online retailers and produce reliable results.

What's the best wax to buy if I want a candle made locally in South Carolina?

Look for candles labeled as soy wax or beeswax, especially from small makers who source materials regionally. Many South Carolina candle shops highlight whether their beeswax comes from local beekeepers or their soy wax from American suppliers. Ask the shopkeeper about the maker's sourcing practices.