NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-AFSC-95

Guide to Rockfishes (Scorpaenidae) of

the Genera Sebastes, Sebastolobus, and

Adelosebastes of the Northeast Pacific

Ocean

by

James Wilder Orr, Michael A. Brown, and David C. Baker

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Marine Fisheries Service

Alaska Fisheries Science Center

October 1998
NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS

The National Marine Fisheries Service’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center uses

the NOAA Technical Memorandum series to issue informal scientific and

technical publications when complete formal review and editorial processing

are not appropriate or feasible. Documents within this series reflect sound

professional work and may be referenced in the formal scientific and technical

literature.

The NMFS-AFSC Technical Memorandum series of the Alaska Fisheries

Science Center continues the NMFS-F/NWC series established in 1970 by the

Northwest Fisheries Center. The new NMFS-NWFSC series will be used by

the Northwest Fisheries Science Center.

This document should be cited as follows:

Orr, J. W., M. A. Brown, and D. C. Baker. 1998. Guide to

rockfishes (Scorpaenidae) of the genera Sebastes, Sebastolobus, and

Adelosebastes of the Northeast Pacific Ocean. U.S. Dep. Commer.,

NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-AFSC-95, 46 p.

Reference in this document to trade names does not imply endorsement by

the National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA.
Technical Memorandum NMFS-AFSC-95

Guide to Rockfishes (Scorpaenidae) of

the Genera Sebastes, Sebastolobus,

and Adelosebastes of the

Northeast Pacific Ocean

by

J. W. Orr1, M. A. Brown2, and D. C. Baker

1Resource Assessment and Conservation Engineering Division

Alaska Fisheries Science Center

7600 Sand Point Way N.E.

Seattle, WA 98115-0070

‘Resource Ecology and Fisheries Management Division

Alaska Fisheries Science Center

7600 Sand Point Way N.E.

Seattle, WA 98115-0070

PROTECTED UNDER INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

William M. Daley, Secretary

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

D. James Baker, Under Secretary and Administrator

National Marine Fisheries Service

Rolland A. Schmitten, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

October 1998
This document is available to the public through: 

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U.S. Department of Commerce 

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Springfield, VA 22161 

www.ntis.gov 
Notice to Users of this Document 

This document is being made available in .PDF format for the convenience of users; however, the 

accuracy and correctness of the document can only be certified as was presented in the original hard 

copy format. Please note that this editiion was updated in 2000 as NOAA-TM-AFSC-117.

ABSTRACT

The rockfishes (family Scorpaenidae) of the northeast Pacific Ocean north of

Mexico comprise five genera, three of which are included in this guide: Sebastes,

Sebastolobus, and Adelosebastes. Sebastes includes some 100 species worldwide; 65,

including one to be described, are presently recognized from the northeast Pacific.

Sebastolobus (commonly known as the thornyheads) includes only three species worldwide; all three range into the northeast Pacific. The single species of Adelosebastes (the

Aleutian scorpionfish, A. latens) is known only from the Aleutian Islands and Emperor

Seamounts. Of the three genera treated here, Sebastes poses the most difficulties in

identification, both because of the numbers of species and because of their morphological similarity and variability. This guide includes color images of 46 species photographed under natural and electronic flash conditions in the field. Most specimens

were photographed immediately after collection. Underwater photos of 12 species are

also provided. With the exception of Sebastes rosenblatti and S. glaucus, these photos

represent all the rockfish species whose capture has been recorded and verified in the

National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center RACEBASE and

Observer Program database.

III

CONTENTS

Abstract ...................................................................................................

Introduction ...............................................................................................

Methods and Data Sources........................................................................

Using the Guide .......................................................................................

Acknowledgments .................................................................................

Citations.............................................................................................

Illustrated Glossary ...............................................................................

List of Species.....................................................................................

Guide to the Rockfishes ........................................................................

Sources of Species Account Figures........................................................

Underwater Photographs .......................................................................

Index to Common and Scientific Names......................................................

V

The rockfishes (family Scorpaenidae) of the northeast Pacific Ocean north of

Mexico comprise five genera, three of which are included in this guide: Sebastes,

Sebastolobus, and Adelosebastes. Sebastes includes some 100 species worldwide; 65,

including one to be described, are presently recognized from the northeast Pacific.

Sebastolobus (commonly known as the thornyheads) includes only three species worldwide; all three range into the northeast Pacific. The single species of Adelosebastes (the

Aleutian scorpionfish, A. latens) is known only from the Aleutian Islands and Emperor

Seamounts. Not included in the guide are four southern scorpaenids: the California

scorpionfish, Scorpaena guttata; stone scorpionfish, S. mystes; spotted scorpionfish, S.

plumieri; and rainbow scorpionfish, Scorpaenodes xyris. Of these, only the California

scorpionfish is rarely encountered north of southern California (to Santa Cruz;

Eschmeyer et al., 1983). Of the three genera treated here, Sebastes poses the most

difficulties in identification, both because of the numbers of species and because of

their morphological similarity and variability.

Primarily designed as an aid in field identification, this guide follows the basic

format of Hitz’s (1965) “Field identification of the northeastern Pacific rockfish

(Sebastodes),” the first guide to successfully use color as a major character to identify

species of Sebastes. Since Hitz (1965), significant advances in our knowledge of the

diversity of northeast Pacific rockfishes have been made. The genus Sebastodes has

been recognized as synonymous with the genus Sebastes, which originally contained

only Atlantic species. Ten additional species of Sebastes have been described. This

guide also updates species ranges based on the numerous documented significant range

extensions. We have also expanded this guide to include the genera Sebastolobus, a

genus commonly encountered and misidentified with Sebastes species, and

Adelosebastes, recently reported from the Aleutian Islands (Orr and Baker 1996). The

guide now includes color photographs of all species encountered in National Marine

Fisheries (NMFS) Groundfish surveys and by fishery observers off the west coast of

North America, with the exception of Sebastes rosenblatti and S. glaucus.

METHODS AND DATA SOURCES

This guide is limited to rockfishes distributed in the 200-mile territorial waters

along the Pacific coast of the United States and Canada. Distributions are described by

major political boundaries (i.e., state and country borders) or bodies of water (e.g.,

Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea). In addition, Alaska and California are further divided

into general regions. California is broken down into three regions: northern (the

California-Oregon border to Point Arena), central (Point Arena to Point Conception),

and southern (Point Conception to the Baja California border). Alaska is divided into

the Gulf of Alaska (British Columbia border to Unimak Pass), Aleutian Islands

(Unimak Pass to Attu Island), and Bering Sea (Aleutian Islands to the Chukchi Sea).
Meristic data were compiled from various sources, including Chen (1971, 1986),

Miller and Lea (1972), Matarese et al. (1989), Hart (1973), and original species descriptions. Abbreviations follow Chen (1986), with dorsal-fin (D) spines (in roman numerals) followed by soft rays (arabic numerals; last two rays counted as one). Anal-fin rays

(A) alone are listed, as all scorpaenids possess three anal-fin spines, and the last two

rays are counted as one. All pectoral-fin rays (P1) from the left side are listed. Total

gillraker (GR) counts include all rakers, including rudiments. Lateral line pores (LLp)

include all pores from the neurocranium to the caudal fin, without noting the caudal-fin

base; lateral line scales (LLs) include the scale rows just below the lateral line. Vertebral (V) counts include the ural centrum, bearing the caudal fin.

The range of this data was verified from specimens archived in several collections including the University of Washington Fish Collection (UWFC), Los Angeles

County Natural History Museum (LACM), California Academy of Sciences (CAS),

Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), U. S. Natural History Museum (USNM),

and University of British Columbia (UBC). Distributions were compiled from the

literature (same sources as above, as well as Allen and Smith, 1988) and updated from

the RACEBASE database of the Resource Assessment and Conservation Engineering

Division, which includes data from surveys conducted by the Alaska Fisheries Science

Center from 1948 to 1998. For each species, we attempted to verify unusual records

by tracing voucher specimens and examining original haul data.

USING THE GUIDE

Species are grouped into five color categories: Red, Black, Red/Black, Banded

(“Striped” of Hitz, 1965), or White-Spotted Red. Within these categories, species are

sorted by head spines strength (weak or strong). Finally, species are grouped together

based on the authors’ ideas of externally similar species. However, because species are

first sorted by color and head spine strength, the most similar species may not be

grouped together.

1. Determine the color category, using the following guidelines:

Red category rockfishes (28 species) possess a light background coloration of

orange, yellow, or, most commonly, red. Typically, dark blotches are present on the

back and often extend from the base of the dorsal fin to below the lateral line; these

blotches may be diffuse or relatively discrete. The infrequent dark phase of some

typically red rockfishes is noted under the description of body color. In general, dark

red-category rockfishes have a much redder body than black category rockfishes.

Black category rockfishes (18 species) have a predominantly dark background

coloration. Most are a uniform dark color, ranging from black to brown with darker

blotching or pale areas on the dorsum and lightening to white, gray, or pink ventrally.

Others, often more shallow water species, may display strongly contrasting colors such

as black and yellow.

2
Red/black category rockfishes (7 species) possess almost equal proportions of

light and dark colors, as the label suggests, which makes selecting either the red or

black category difficult. No unifying color pattern is apparent among these fishes;

however, a characteristic color combination (e.g., horizontal green striping in

greenstriped rockfish, Sebastes elongatus, and the pink pectoral-fin slash in northern

rockfish, S. polyspinis) is often sufficient for identification.

Banded category rockfishes (4 species) possess 4-6 discrete vertical bands of

dark color (red to black) on a light background of white, pink, or yellow.

White-spotted red category rockfishes (12 species) possess a light colored body

with 2-5 pale areas (i.e., spots) above the lateral line.

2. Determine head spine strength:

After placing the fish in a color category, visually estimate the prominence of

the eight pairs of head spines (see page 6 for positions and numbers of spines). Generally if the spines, especially those nearest the orbit (numbers 2-5), are easily visible at

about elbow’s length, the spines are considered strong. Otherwise, the spines should

be considered weak.

3. Count head spines:

Head spines should be counted to determine which pairs of the eight possible

are present. For each species, a diagrammatic dorsal view of the rockfish’s head is

provided. A number with a line to the head indicates that the spine is typically present

in large juveniles and adults; if a number has no line, the spine is typically absent. A

number in parentheses indicates that the spine may be present or absent. Variation in

the presence of head spines has not been quantified for most species, thus parentheses

may indicate either that the spine is typically present but often absent or vice versa.

Often spines are lost with body growth, and juveniles typically have more and stronger

spines than adults. For example, dusky rockfish, S. ciliatus, is known for having a

smooth head with reduced or absent spines, yet small juveniles possess head spines 1,

2, 4, 5, and 7 that are moderately strong. Thus this guide is primarily for adults and

large juveniles that have developed the adult morphology. To identify smaller and

pelagic juveniles, use the following guides to early life history stages: Matarese et al.

(1989) or Moser et al. (1996).

With the information from these three characters, choices should be narrowed to

two or three rockfishes. Around most of the figures in the guide, a combination of

characters are highlighted that, when present, distinguish the species from all others.

Along with these specific characters, two additional features depicted in the figure are

often useful in distinguishing similar species: second anal-fm length relative to third

and mouth size, as reflected in maxilla length. Many of these characters are subjective

as well as variable and, therefore, depend on the experience of the user to be used

properly. To confirm the identification, use the similar species section to check particular characters. Next to the name of each similar species, characters are listed based

3
on the relative ease of determination and the usefulness of the feature to clearly distinguish between the two species. Finally, check the specimen against other characters

provided, such as peritoneum color and shape between the eyes, and habitat information, such as depth and distribution.

The photographs and figures themselves should only be used as a guide to the

appearance of the fish. Photographs in species accounts are generally taken from trawl

caught specimens with fresh coloration. Most line drawings have been drawn from

specimens or photographs and accurately represent the dark and light patterns and body

shape of that specimen. However, many of these features often vary among populations and, in many species, among individuals of a given population.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors extend their appreciation to C. R. Hitz, who encouraged the publication of this guide, an expansion of his previous prodigious efforts. Financial support

was provided by the Rockfish Working Group of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center.

Trainers and debriefers of the Observer Program of the Resource Ecology and Fisheries

Management Division, including especially S. Corey, K. Krieger, N. Raring, and K.

Teig, provided helpful criticisms and suggestions. Many fisheries observers shared

their criticisms and frustrations with early drafts of the guide; we hope their concerns

were addressed. Bob Lauth, Jerry Hoff, Ted Pietsch, and Catherine Mecklenberg

provided critical reviews that greatly improved the manuscript. Bob Lauth and D. W.

Kessler provided many photographs and Glenn Sprague produced several of the illustrations incorporated in early versions. We thank the curators and their respective institutions for providing loans and making space available to examine material under their

care: T. W. Pietsch, B. Urbain, A. M. Snyder (UWFC); R. Lavenburg and J. Siegel

(LACM); S. Jewett (USNM); J. D. McPhail, G. Hass, E. Keeley (UBC); R.

Rosenblatt, H. J. Walker, C. Klopek (SIO); and W. N. Eschmeyer, D. Catania (CAS).

CITATIONS

ALLEN, M.J., AND G.B. SMITH. 1988. Atlas and zoogeography of common fishes in the

Bering Sea and northeastern Pacific. U.S. Dep. Commer., NOAA Tech. Rep.

NMFS 66, 151 p.

CHEN, L. 1971. Systematics, variation, distribution, and biology of rockfishes of the

subgenus Sebastomus (Pisces, Scorpaenidae, Sebastes). Bull. Scripps Inst.

Oceanog. ,Univ. Calif. Press, Berkeley, CA.

 1986. Meristic variation in Sebastes (Scorpaenidae), with an analysis of

character association and bilateral pattern and their significance in species

separation. U.S. Dep. Commer., NOAA Tech. Rep. NMFS 45, 17 p.

ESCHMEYER, W. N., E. S. HERALD, AND H. HAMMMANN. 1983. A field guide to Pacific coast fishes of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 336

p.

4
LEA, R. N. AND J. N. FITCH. 1972. Sebastes rufinanus, a new scorpaenid fish from

California waters. Copeia 1972: 423-427.

AND . 1979. A new species of rockfish, genus Sebastes (Scorpaenidae),

from the eastern North Pacific off Mexico and California. Contrib. Sci. Natur.

Hist. Mus. Los Angeles County 320: 1-7.

HART, J. L. 1973. Pacific fishes of Canada. Fish. Res. Board Canada, Bull. 180, 740

p.

HITZ, C. R. 1965. Field identification of the northeastern Pacific rockfish

(Sebastodes). U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Circ. 203.

MASUDA, H. D., K. AMAOKA, C. ARAGA, T. UYENO, AND T. YOSHINO (EDS.). 1984.

The fishes of the Japanese Archipelago. Tokai Univ. Press, Tokyo, Japan, 437

p.

MATARESE, A. C., A. W. KENDALL, JR., D. M. BLOOD, AND B. M. VINTER. 1989.

Laboratory guide to early life history stages of northeast Pacific fishes. U.S.

Dep. Commer., NOAA Tech. Rep. NMFS 80, 652 p.

MILLER, D. J., AND R. N. LEA. 1972. Guide to the coastal marine fishes of California. Cal. Dep. Fish Game, Fish Bull. 157, 249 p. (Addendum added in 1976.)

MOSER G. (ed). 1996. The early stages of fishes in the California Current Region.

CalCOFI Atlas, No. 33.

ORR, J. W., AND D. C. BAKER. 1997. New North American records of the Northeast

Pacific scorpaenids Adelosebastes latens and Sebastes glaucus (Teleostei:

Scorpaenidae). Alaska Fish. Res. Bull. 3(2):94-102.

5
ILLUSTRATED GLOSSARY
LIST OF SPECIES
Body color: Light red, including fins; dark olivaceous areas on back under soft

dorsal fin and on caudal peduncle.

Maximum length: 20 in (55 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 451 fm (825 m) Shape between eyes: convex to flat

Common depth: 55-192 fm (100-350 m) Counts: D:XIII-XIV,13-17, Ar:6-9, P1:15-19,

GR:30-39, LLp:44-55, LLs:43-55, V:27

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH Sebastes alutus

Similar species:

Yellowmouth RF - symphyseal knob weaker, rounded; yellow, red, and black

blotches inside mouth; specimens < 40 cm w/ discrete opercular blotch, diffuse dorsal

blotches; 57-67 scales below lateral line (43-55 in POP).

Sharpchin RF - dorsal blotches large w/ at least one extending across lateral line;

forked bar radiates from eye; head spines strong and count differs; anal spine 2 longer

than 3; dorsal rays typically 14 (typically 15 in POP); anal rays typically 7 (typically

8 in POP); pectoral rays typically 17 (typically 18 in POP).

Redstripe RF - lateral line light, contrasted by dark mottling above and below; head

spine count typically differs.

Northern RF - dorsal spines typically 14; dark bars radiate posteriorly from eye;

pectoral fin w/ oblique pink slash on ventral portion; head spine count differs.

Chilipepper RF - dorsal blotches absent; lateral line red or pink; belly whitish;

peritoneum light; head spine count differs.

Body color: Light red, mottled w/ olive dorsally and flushed w/ yellow on lower

sides; lateral line in a clear, light-red zone, bordered by dark olivaceous mottling;

lips blackened.

Maximum length: 20 in (51 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 230 fm (425 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 55-165 fm (100-300 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-15, Ar:6-7, P1:16-18,

GR:36-43, LLp:47-55, LLs:55-60, V:27

REDSTRIPE ROCKFISH Sebastes proriger

Similar species:

Yellowmouth RF - symphyseal knob weaker, rounded; yellow and black blotches

inside pinkish mouth; opercular blotch discrete; dorsal blotches diffuse.

Northern RF - dorsal spines typically 14 (13 in Redstripe RF); dark bars radiate

posteriorly from eye; pink slash on ventral portion of pectoral fin; head spine count

differs.

Sharpchin RF - dorsal blotches large w/ at least one extending across lateral line;

forked bar radiates posteriorly from eye; head spines strong and count differs;anal

spine 2 longer 3.

Pacific Ocean Perch - lateral line not bordered by mottling; head spine count

typically differs.

Chilipepper - dorsal blotches absent; lateral line not bordered by mottling; peritoneum light; head spine count differs; belly whitish.
Body color: Red intermixed w/ yellow-orange (or black in individuals < 40cm);

diffuse olivaceous mottling on back; mouth w/ yellow, red and black blotches on

whitish background.

Maximum length: 23 in (58 cm) Peritoneum color: silver w/black dots

Maximum depth: 200 fm (366 m) Shape between eyes: convex to flat

Common depth: 56-183 fm (100-330 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-15, Ar:7-8, P1:18-20,

GR:30-36, LLp:41-55, LLs:57-67, V:26

YELLOWMOUTH ROCKFISH Sebastes reedi

Similar species:

Pacific Ocean Perch - symphyseal knob sharp, elongate; no yellow blotches inside

mouth; dorsal blotches discrete, opercular blotch diffuse; 43-55 scales below lateral

line.

Redstripe RF - lateral line light, contrasted by dark mottling above and below; head

spine count differs; gillrakers 36-43 (30-36 in Yellowmouth).

Chilipepper RF - no dorsal blotches; head spine count differs; belly whitish.

Sharpchin RF - dorsal blotches large w/ at least one extending across lateral line;

forked bar radiates posteriorly from eye; head spines strong and count differs; 43-50

scales below lateral line; anal spine 2 longer than 3.

Rougheye RF, Shortraker RF, and Blackgill RF - head spines strong and count

differs; 47-55 scales below lateral line; 0-8 spines below eye.

Body color: Pinkish-red; tins pink; belly whitish; young w/ light olive on back.

Maximum length: 22 in (56 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 232 fm (425 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 27-137 fm (50-250 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-14, Ar:8-9, P1:16-18,

GR:34-39, LLp:50-57, LLs:60-77,V:26

CHILIPEPPER Sebastes goodei

Similar species:

Shortbelly RF - anus far anterior to anal fin (1.1 to 1.5 orbit widths); pectoral rays

19-22 (16-18 in Chilipepper); head spine count differs.

Bocaccio - mouth larger, maxilla extends to back of eye or beyond, lower jaw

massive, greatly projecting; head spine count differs.

Pacific Ocean Perch - dorsal blotches present; dark peritoneum; head spine count

differs; spines present on lower edge of operculum (absent in Chilipepper).

Redstripe RF - lateral line clear, olivaceous mottling dorsal and ventral; peritoneum

dark; head spine count differs; spines present on lower edge of operculum (absent in

Chilipepper).
Body color: Olive-brown dorsally becoming pink to red ventrally; specimens less Body color: Olive-pink dorsally, becoming silver-pink on sides; fins same color as

than 10 inches (25 cm) w/ small brown spots on sides. adjacent body parts to reddish.

Maximum length: 36 in (91 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 260 fm (475 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 27-137 fm (50-250 m) Counts: D:XII-XV,13-15, Ar:8-10, Pl:14-16,

GR:27-32, LLp:51-70, LLs:72-90,V:26

BOCACCIO Sebastes paucispinis

Similar species:

Silvergray RF - body dark gray dorsally, light ventrally; gill rakers 33-36 (28-31 in

Bocaccio); dorsal rays typically 15-17 (13-15 in Bocaccio); scales below lateral line

58-70 (72-90 in Bocaccio).

Shortbelly RF - anus midway between pelvic-fm base and anal-fm origin; maxilla

extends to midorbit; head spine count differs; maximum length 32 cm.

Chilipepper RF - maxilla extends to midorbit, symphyseal knob present; body red w/

whitish belly; head spine count differs.

Maximum length: 13 in (32 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 192 fm (350 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 27-137 fm (50-250 m) CountS:D:XIII,13-16, Ar:8-11, P1:19-22,

GR:40-47, LLp:52-64, LLs:65, V:26

SHORTBELLY ROCKFISH Sebastes jordani

Similar species:

Note: The Shortbelly RF is the only species with the anus midway between pelvic

and anal fins.

Chilipepper RF - anus < 1.0 orbit width from anal-fm origin; lateral line red;

pectoral rays 16-18 (19-22 in Shortbelly RF); head spine count differs.

Bocaccio - anus < 1.0 orbital width from anal-fin origin; lower jaw massive and

strongly projecting; head spine count differs.
Body color: Dusky-pink above and silvery-pink on sides; two conspicuous dark-red

blotches on posterior half of body; brown on back; brown streaks on membranes of

caudal fin; fins light pink, back washed w/ light yellow-green.

Maximum length: 10 in (25 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 220 fm (402 m) Shape between eyes: flat

Common depth: 32-220 fm (58-402 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-14, Ar:6-8, P1:16-18,

GR:36-42, LLp:40-50, LLs:?, V:26

HALFBANDED ROCKFISH Sebastes semicinctus

Similar species:

Stripetail RF - head spines strong; large dark blotches absent; eye large, 2.7-3.2 in

head length (3.2-3.4 in Halfbanded RF).

Darkblotched RF - head spines stronger and count differs; body reddish w/ 5

discrete blotches crossing lateral line; body deep; anal spine 2 shorter than 3.

Sharpchin RF - dorsal blotches vague; symphyseal knob prominent (small to moderate in Halfbanded RF); head spines strong.

Body color: Dusky red dorsally, lighter red ventrally; fins reddish; lateral line pale.

Maximum length: 7 in (17 cm)

Maximum depth: 31 fm (183 m)

Common depth: 5-31 fm (3-183 m)

Peritoneum color: black

Shape between eyes: convex

Counts: D:XIII,14, Ar:8, P1:17, GR:37-38,

LLp:30-33, LLs:?, V:27

DWARF-REDROCKFISH Sebastes rufinanus

Similar species:

Aurora RF - body pinkish red; gill rakers 24-28 (37-38 in Dwarf-red RF); anal rays

5-7 (8 in Dwarf-red RF); head spines strong; small knobs on upper jaw.

Splitnose RF - prominent knobs on upper jaw; head spines strong.

Chameleon RF’ - anal rays 5-6 (8 in Dwarf-red); head spines strong; anterior lachrymal spine w/ several points; 2-4 spines below eye.
Body color: Reddish w/ five discrete black blotches on back, extending across lateral Body color: Light red w/ several vague, dark brown blotches on back w/ at least one

line. blotch extending below lateral line.

Maximum length: 22 in (58 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 328 fm (600 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 55-192 fm (100-350 m) Counts: D:XII-X11,12-15, Ar:5-7, P1:18-20,

GR:29-34, LLp:40-51, LLs:48-62, V:26

DARK BLOTCHED ROCKFISH Sebastes crameri

Similar species:

Sharpchin RF - symphyseal knob prominent; edge of operculum smooth (1-2 spines

in Darkblotched RF); anal spine 2 longer than 3; head spines stronger and count

differs.

Harlequin RF’ - posterior 2/3 of lateral line clear; dorsal fin blackish; anal spine 2

longer than 3; head spines stronger and count differs.

Halfbanded RF - body pink w/ 2 prominent blotches over lateral line; head spines

weaker and count differs; body slender; anal spine 2 longer than 3.

Pacific Ocean Perch - dorsal blotches do not extend below lateral line; symphyseal

knob elongate, sharp; head spines weaker and count typically differs.

Yellowmouth RF - yellow blotches inside mouth; dorsal blotches diffuse and do not

extend below lateral line; head spines stronger and count differs.

Maximum length: 15 in (39 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 220 fm (402 m) Shape between eyes: convex to concave

Common depth: 82-165 fm (150-300 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-15, Ar:7-8, P1:16-18,

GR:31-41, LLp:39-47, LLs:43-59,V:27

SHARPCHIN ROCKFISH Sebastes zacentrus

Similar species:

Harlequin RF’ - symphyseal knob moderate; dorsal fin black; posterior 2/3 of lateral

line clear.

Darkblotched RF - symphyseal knob weak; head spine count differs; anal spine 2

shorter than 3.

Halfbanded RF - body dusky pink w/ 2 prominent blotches over lateral line; head

spines weak; symphyseal knob weak.

Pacific Ocean Perch - head spines weak and typically differ in count; dorsal blotches

do not extend below lateral line; blotch on operculum; operculum edge w/ spines.

Yellowmouth RF - symphyseal knob weaker; yellow blotches inside mouth; dorsal

blotches diffuse, do not extend below lateral line; operculum edge w/ spines; blotch

on operculum.
Body color: Pink to dark red, w/ dark blotches; posterior 2/3 of lateral line clear,

Maximum length: 14.5 in (37 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 305 fm (558 m) Shape between eyes: flat to convex

Common depth: 55-192 fm (100-350 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-15, Ar: 6-7, P1:17-19,

GR:36-41, LLp:42-52, LLs:46-58, V:27

HARLEQUIN ROCKFISH Sebastes variegatus

Similar species:

Sharpchin RF - lateral line pigmented, dorsal blotches cross w/out break; symphyseal

knob prominent; dorsal and caudal fin membranes reddish.

Redstripe RF - lateral line clear for its entire length, olive mottling dorsally and

ventrally; anal spine 2 equal to or shorter than 3; head spines weak.

Darkblotched RF - body w/ 4 or 5 distinct dark blotches crossing lateral line; body

deep, depth > head length; head spine count differs; anal spine 2 shorter than 3.

Pacific Ocean Perch - body w/ small discrete dorsal blotches at base of fin; head

spines weak and count differs; symphyseal knob prominent (moderate in Harlequin

RF).

Body color: Yellow-pink w/ light green; several vague, dusky blotches on back,

these darker in young; green streaks on membranes of caudal fin, at least on upper

portion.

Maximum length: 16 in (41 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 299 fm (547 m) Shape between eyes: flat to concave

Common depth: 55-192 fm (100-350 m) Counts: D:XIII,ll-14, Ar:5-8, P1:15-18,

GR:30-35, LLp:35-43, LLs:43-53,V:26

STRIPETAIL ROCKFISH Sebastes saxicola

Similar species:

Haltbanded RF - head spines weak; eye small, 3.2-3.4 in head length (2.9-3.2 in

Stripetail RF); body w/ two dark-red bars posteriorly.

Sharpchin RF - body w/ discrete blotches; operculum w/ forked bar; caudal fin w/

dusky streaks (broken green streaks in Stripetail RF).

Aurora RF - caudal fin red, w/out streaks; head spine count differs; spines on lower

edge of operculum typically absent (strong in Stripetail RF); lateral line pores 27-30

(36-42 in Stripetail RF); gillrakers 24-28 (31-34 in Stripetail RF); eye 3.2-4.1 into

head length (2.9-3.2 in Stripetail RF).

Splitnose RF - strong notch in upper jaw; green streaks in caudal fin absent; body

uniform rose-red.
Body color: Uniform rose-red. Body color: Uniform creamy light-red or pink.

Maximum length: 18 in (45 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 437 fm (800 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 82-246 fm (150-450 m) Counts: D:XIII,ll-14, Ar:5-8, P1:17-19,

GR:32-37, LLp:32-43, LLs:53-57,V:26

SPLITNOSE ROCKFISH Sebastes diploproa

Similar species:

Aurora RF - head spine count differs; knobs bordering notch in upper jaw less

prominent; gill rakers 24-28 (32-37 in Splitnose RF); lateral line pores typically 27-

30 (32-42 in Splitnose RF); spines on lower margin of operculum typically absent

(typically present in Splitnose RF).

Stripetail RF - body yellow-pink w/ green; dorsal blotches present; notch in upper

jaw absent.

Thornyheads (genus Sebastolobus) - 8-10 strong cheek spines; 15-17 dorsal spines

(13 in Splitnose RF); body round in cross section (elliptical in Splitnose RF).

Maximum length: 16 in (41 cm) Peritoneum color: dark to light w/ spots

Maximum depth: 300 fm (768 m) Shape between eyes: convex to concave

Common depth: 164-274 fm (300-500 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-13, Ar:5-7, P1:17-19,

GR:24-28, LLp:27-31, LLs:41-5O,V:26

AURORA ROCKFISH Sebastes aurora

Similar species:

Splitnose RF - head spine count differs; knobs bordering notch in upper jaw prominent; gill rakers 32-37 (24-28 in Aurora RF); lateral line pores 32-43 (27-31 in

Aurora RF); spines on lower margin of operculum typically present (typically absent

in Aurora RF).

Stripetail RF - head spine count differs; body yellow-pink w/ green; dorsal blotches

present; no notch in upper jaw; spines on lower margin of operculum typically

present (typically absent in Aurora RF).

Rougheye RF - 2-8 spines below eye; body red w/ black; gill rakers 29-35 (24-28 in

Aurora RF).

Shortraker RF - anal spine 2 shorter than 3; notch in upper jaw absent.
Body color: Whitish pink when first brought to surface, changing to golden crimson

upon death and exposure to air; vague dusky streaks on back from above rear margins

of orbit posteriorly to about insertion of second dorsal.

Maximum length: 17 in (43 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 150 fm (274 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 95-150 fm (171-274 m) Counts: D:XIII-IV,12-13, Ar:5-6, P1:18-19,

GR:36-40, LLp:29-33, LLs:?, V:26-27

CHAMELEON ROCKFISH Sebastes phillipsi COWCOD Sebastes levis

Similar species: Similar species:

Aurora RF - spines absent below eye; gillrakers 24-28 (36-40 in Chameleon RF). Bocaccio - and Chilipepper RF - body w/out bars; narrow suborbital width; dorsalSplitnose RF - spines absent below eye; head spine count differs; gillrakers 32-37 fin membranes not deeply incised; head spines weak and differ in count; body

(36-40 in Chameleon RF). slender.

Rougheye RF - peritoneum light; area between eyes flat or convex; gillrakers 29-35

(36-40 in Chameleon RF).

Body color: Pink, including fins; 4-5 narrow, somewhat irregular bars.

Maximum length: 35 in (94 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 200 fm (366 m) Shape between eyes: convex to flat

Common depth: 83-134 fm (152-244 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-13, Ar:6-7, P1:17-18,

GR:29-33, LLp:45-53, LLs:72-74, V:26
Body color: Red on back, bright orange-yellow on sides, most fins w/ black on tips. Body color: Red on back, becoming pink on sides, often w/ vague spots and traces of

Young < 28 cm red w/ whitish stripe along lateral line, another shorter stripe dusky bars; fins reddish, w/ black on tips; inside of mouth red-black to red-white;

between lateral line and belly surface, fins w/ blackened tips. See inset photo. posterior part of lateral line often light. (See occasional dark phase in inset photo.)

Maximum length: 36 in (91 cm) Peritoneum color: light Maximum length: 39 in (97 cm) Peritoneum color: light w/ dots

Maximum depth: 260 fm (475 m) Shape between eyes: concave Maximum depth: 479 fm (875 m) Shape between eyes: convex to flat

Common depth: 28-219 fm (50-400 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-16, Ar:5-8, P1:18-20, Common depth: 55-246 fm (100-450 m) Counts: D:XIII-XIV,12-15, Ar:6-8, P1:17-19,

GR:25-30, LLp:39-46, LLs:45-50, V:26 GR:29-35, LLp:29-37, LLs:47-55, V:27

YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH Sebastes ruberrimus

Similar species:

Canary RF - body mottled gray dorsally w/ orange; anal fin pointed w/ strong

anterior slant (rounded w/ posterior slant in Yelloweye RF).

Vermilion RF - body mottled gray dorsally w/ red; anal fin pointed w/ strong

anterior slant (rounded w/ posterior slant in Yelloweye RF).

Rougheye RF, Shortraker RF, and Blackgill RF - body red w/ various dark

mottling; 0-8 spines below eye.

ROUGHEYE ROCKFISH Sebastes aleutianus

Similar species:

Shortraker RF - 0 or rarely 1 eye spine; body pink to orange-pink, typically w/out

dark color on body; specimens > 40 cm w/ gillrakers on first arch 3 times longer than

width (5-6 times in Rougheye RF); head spine 6 typically absent.

Blackgill RF - 0 or rarely 1 eye spine; head spine 6 typically absent; mouth, upper

branchiostegal membranes, and gill cavity black.

Pacific Ocean Perch - head spines weak and differ in count; discrete dark blotches at

base of dorsal fin; symphyseal knob prominent.

Sharpchin RF - discrete dorsal blotches w/ at least one crossing lateral line; prominent symphyseal knob; head spines differ in count; anal spine 2 longer than 3.

Yelloweye RF - body bright yellow-orange (reddish in young < 28 cm); head spines

rugose w/ multiple points and count differs.
Body color: Pink to orange-pink; fins reddish, typically edged w/ black; dusky red Body color: Uniform dark red, including fins; dusky bars may be present on back,

bars may be present on back, these prominent in young specimens. these prominent in young specimens; most tins w/ blackened tips.

Maximum length: 43 in (108 cm) Peritoneum color: light w/ black dots

Maximum depth: 478 fm (875 m) Shape between eyes: convex to flat

Common depth: 55-328 fm (100-600 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-15, Ar:6-8, P1:17-20,

GR:27-31, LLp:28-32, LLs:36-46, V:27-28

SHORTRAKER ROCKFISH Sebastes borealis

Similar species:

Blackgill RF - body red w/ black mouth, upper branchiostegal membranes, and gill

cavity; peritoneum black; gillrakers typically 30-34 (27-31 in Shortraker RF).

Rougheye RF - 2-10 spines below eye; body typically red w/ black mottling; gill

rakers on first arch longer in individuals > 40 cm.

Pacific Ocean Perch - head spines weak and differ in count; prominent symphyseal

knob; discrete dorsal blotches at base of dorsal fin; body shape slender.

Sharpchin RF - symphyseal knob prominent; discrete blotches w/ at least one

crossing lateral line; head spines differ in count; anal spine 2 longer than 3.

Redbanded RF - body w/ five bands crossing lateral line; head spine count differs;

anal spine 2 longer than 3; peritoneum dark.

Maximum length: 24 in (61 cm) Peritoneum color: black

Maximum depth: 420 fm (768 m) Shape between eyes: flat to convex

Common depth: 137-328 fm (250-600 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-15, Ar:6-8, P1:17-20,

GR:27-34, LLp:28-34, LLs:32-34, V:26

BLACKGILL ROCKFISH Sebastes melanostomus

Similar species:

Shortraker RF - body pink or orange-pink; mouth, branchiostegal membranes, and

gill cavity red to red-black; peritoneum light w/ black spots; gillrakers 27-31 (typically 30-34 in Blackgill RF).

Rougheye RF - 2-10 spines below eye; mouth, branchiostegal membranes, and gill

cavity red to red-black; peritoneum light.

Pacific Ocean Perch - head spines weak and differ in count; dark blotches discrete at

dorsal base; symphyseal knob prominent.

Sharpchin RF - symphyseal knob prominent; discrete blotches w/ at least one

crossing lateral line; head spines differ in count; anal spine 2 longer than 3.
Body color: Dark red, mottled w/ gray on back and sides; fins red. Body color: Olive-gray w/ bright orange, fins orange. (Also see underwater photo.)

Maximum length: 30 in (76 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 150 fm (274 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 100-150 fm (183-274 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-15, Ar:6-8, P1:16-18,

GR:35-43, LLp:40-48, LLs:45-48, V:26-27

VERMILION ROCKFISH Sebastes miniatus

Similar species:

Canary RF - body orange w/ olive-gray, fins orange; underside of lower jaw smooth

w/ embedded scales; gillrakers 41-45 (35-43 in Vermilion RF); lateral line highlighted in gray.

Yelloweye RF - head spines rugose; body orange-red to orange-yellow w/out olivegray mottling; lateral line highlighted in gray; anal-fin margin rounded.

Rougheye RF, Shortraker RF, and Blackgill RF - head spine count differs; anal-fin

margin perpendicular; 0-8 spines below eye.

Maximum length: 30 in (76 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 200 fm (102 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 27-137 fm (50-250 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-16, Ar:7, P1:16-18,

GR:40-45, LLp:39-47, LLs:43-50, V:26

CANARY ROCKFISH Sebastes pinniger

Similar species:

Vermilion RF - body and fins red; underside of lower jaw rough w/ exposed scales

(jaw smooth in Canary RF); gillrakers 35-43 (41-45 in Canary RF).

Yelloweye RF - head spines rugose; body orange-red to orange-yellow w/out olivegray mottling; anal-fm margin rounded.

Rougheye RF, Shortraker RF, and Blackgill RF - body red w/ various black

mottling; 0-8 spines below eye; anal-fm margin perpendicular.
Body color: Olive-brown to blackish-red dorsally, becoming plain red on side; lateral

line in a clear red zone bordered by darker color; ventral and anal fins reddish, other

fins darker.

Maximum length: 26.5 in (66 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 130 fm (238 m) Shape between eyes: flat to convex

Common depth: 50-130 fm (91-238 m) Counts: D:XII-XIV,lZ-15, Ar:7-8, P1:18-20,

GR:35-42, LLp:52-58, LLs:?-?, V:26

MEXICAN ROCKFISH Sebastes macdonaldi

Similar species:

Redstripe RF - body light red w/ lateral line in gray zone; pectoral fins red to light

green (black membranes in Mexican RF); pectoral rays 16-18 (18-20 in Mexican RF);

lachrymal bone w/ two spines.

anal-fm membranes red w/ black spots; spinous dorsal membranes w/ black edge;

caudal-fin membranes red; pectoral-fin membrane w/ black midsection, otherwise red.

Maximum length: 8 in (20 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 100 fm (183 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 75-100 fm (137-183 m) Counts: D:XIII,ll-12, Ar:6, P1:17-18,

GR:34-37, LLp:34-43, LLs:?-?, V:26

Body color: Red w/ lighter blotches on back; lateral line in clear red zone; dorsal- &

SEMAPHORE ROCKFISH Sebastes melanosema

Similar species:

Splitnose RF and Aurora RF - lachrymal spines pointed posteriorly; margins of

spinous dorsal-fin membranes reddish (black in Semaphore RF).
Body color: Bright red to pink, often w/ dusky to black areas on fins and body, dark

spot on posterior part of spinous dorsal fin.

Maximum length: 30 in (75 cm) Peritoneum color: light w/ spots

Maximum depth: 833 fm (1524 fm.) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 55-465 fm (100-850 m) Counts: D:XV-XVIIW9, Ar:4-5, P1:22-23,

GR:18-23, LLp:29-33, LLs:35-46, V:29-31

SHORTSPINE THORNYHEAD Sebastolobus alascanus LONGSPINE THORNYHEAD

Similar species: Similar species:

Longspine Thornyhead - dorsal spine 3 longer than 4; pectoral fm w/ slight notch;

gill chamber mostly black; dorsal spines typically 15 (typically 16 in Shortspine

Thornyhead).

Broadbanded Thornyhead - ventral pectoral rays highly branched, lobe-like; body

deeper.

Aleutian Scorpionfish (genus Adelosebastes) - cheek spines 1-2, weak; lower

pectoral rays fingerlike; head spines very large; body deep.

Other Rockfishes (genus Sebastes) - cheek spines absent; pectoral fin wedge-shaped

w/out notch; body deep; dorsal spines 12-15 (15-17 in Shortspine Thornyhead).

Shortspine Thornyhead - dorsal spine 3 shorter than 4; pectoral fin w/ strong notch;

gill chamber mostly pale; dorsal spines typically 16 (typically 15 in Longspine

Thornyhead).

Broadbanded Thornyhead - ventral pectoral rays highly branched, lobe-like; body

deeper.

Aleutian Scorpionfish (genus Adelosebastes) - cheek spines 1-2, weak; lower

pectoral rays fingerlike; head spines very large; body deep.

Other Rockfishes (genus Sebastes) - cheek spines absent; pectoral fin wedge-shaped

w/out notch; body deep; dorsal spines 12-15 (15-17 in Longspine Thornyhead).

Body color: Bright red w/ black areas on fins and body, dark spot on posterior part

of spinous dorsal fin; gill chamber mostly dark.

Maximum length: 15 in (38 cm) Peritoneum color: light w/ spots

Maximum depth: 960 fm (1755 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 167-875 fm (305-1 775 m) Counts: D:XV-XVII,8-10, Ar:4-6, P1:22-24,

GR:21-26, LLp:28-32, LLs:32-38, V:29

Sebastolobus altivelis
Body color: Bright red-orange to pink; membranes between posterior-most dorsal

spines black.

Maximum length: 14 in (35 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 437 fm (800 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 82-273 fm (150-500 m) Counts: D:XIV-XVI,12-13, Ar:5, P1:18-22,

GR:24-25, LLp:28-29, LLs:74-100, V:26

BROADBANDED THORNYHEAD Sebastolobus macrochir

Similar species:

Shortspine Thornyhead - pectoral fin deeply notched, lower rays not highly

branched; body less deep.

Longspine Thornyhead - lower pectoral rays not highly branched; body less deep.

Aleutian Scorpionfish (genus Adelosebastes) - cheek spines 1-2, weak; lower

pectoral rays fingerlike; head spines very large; body deep.

Other Rockfishes (genus Sebastes) - cheek spines absent; pectoral fin rounded,

lacking notch; dorsal spines 12-15 (14-16 in Broadbanded thornyhead).

Body color: Bright crimson red; dusky mottling on back forming 3 faint saddles;

ventral pectoral rays pink; dusky area on dorsal-most pectoral rays.

Maximum length: 16 in (41 cm)

Maximum depth: 666 fm (1200 m)

Common depth: ? fm (? m)

Peritoneum color: gray w/ black spots

Shape between eyes: concave

Counts: D:XII,12-13, Ar:5, Pl:18-22,

GR:24-25, LLp:28-29, LLs:74-100, V:26

ALEUTIAN SCORPIONFISH Adelosebastes latens

Similar species:

Thornyheads (genus Sebastolobus) - cheek spines 5-10, strong; dorsal spines 15-17

(12-13 in Aleutian Scorpionfish).

Other Rockfishes (genus Sebastes) - cheek spines absent; pectoral fin rounded,

lacking notch, wedge-shaped (slightly notched in Aleutian Scorpionfish); pectoral

rays typically 20 (21 in Aleutian Scorpionfish); lower jaw equal to or longer than

upper jaw (shorter than upper jaw in Aleutian Scorpionfish).
Body color: Dark gray-green on reddish background; red-orange flecks and fine

green spots on body; red-orange to white ventrally; oblique light band on lower

portion of pectoral fin.

Maximum length: 15 in (40 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 342 fm (625 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 27-164 fm (50-300 m) Counts: D:XIV,13-16, Ar:7-9, P1:17-19,

GR:35-39, LLp:43-53, LLs:69-70, V:28

NORTHERN ROCKFISH Sebastes polyspinis

Similar species:

Dusky (light) RF - body gray to greenish-brown; light patch on pectoral fin faint;

dorsal spines typically 13.

Pacific Ocean Perch - body red w/ discrete dorsal blotches; symphyseal knob sharp,

elongate (moderate in Northern RF); head spine 5 present; dorsal spines typically 13.

Redstripe RF - mottled olive-green stripes above and below light red lateral line;

head spine count differs; dorsal spines typically 13; head spine 5 present.

Harlequin RF - head spines strong and spine 5 is present; anal spine 2 longer than 3

(shorter in Northern RF); dorsal blotches prominent; posterior 2/3 of lateral line

light; dorsal spines typically 13.

Sharpchin RF - body red w/ dorsal blotches; head spines strong and differ in count;

anal spine 2 longer than 3; dorsal spines typically 13.

Body color: Dusky light red to gray, southern specimens w/ black spots on back and

dorsal fin; membranes of soft dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins blackish. “Red-widow

(see below) more reddish w/out conspicuous black spots on body.

Maximum length: 20 in (51 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 135 fm (247 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 17-135 fm (31-247 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-16, Ar:8-9, P1:17-19,

GR:32-37, LLp:49-56, LLs:89-90, V:27-28

BANK ROCKFISH Sebastes rufus

Similar species:

Speckled RF - body w/out red; lateral line not in clear zone; gillrakers typically 31-

33 (typically 34-35 in Bank RF).

Squarespot RF - body w/ squarish blotches along lateral line w/out red; pectoral rays

typically 17 (typically 18-19 in Bank RF).

Widow RF - body w/out red; lateral line not in clear zone.

Yellowtail RF - body w/out red; fins washed w/ yellow; anal, pelvic, pectoral fin

membranes dusky; anal-fm margin perpendicular; head spine count differs.

Note: “Red-widow” from central California may represent an undescribed species.
Body color: Pink w/ four mottled, horizontal green stripes on sides of pinkish body.

Maximum length: 15 in (38 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 132 fm (425 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 55-137 fm (loo-250 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-14, Ar:5-7, P1:16-18,

GR:28-33, LLp:37-47, LLs:42-55, V:26

GREENSTRIPED ROCKFISH

Similar species:

Sebastes elongatus

Redstripe RF - lateral line light red bordered by two mottled green stripes; anal spine

2 shorter than 3; head spines weak.

Body color: Dark brown to olive, washed w/ copper-pink and often splashed w/ dull

yellow; posterior lateral line and lower sides usually white in fresh specimens,

becoming copper-pink on prolonged exposure. (See inset and underwater photo.)

Maximum length: 22 in (58 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 100 fm (183 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: < 67 fm (< 120 m) Counts: D:XIII,ll-14, Ar:5-7, P1:16-18,

GR:26-32, LLp:37-47, LLs:39-45, V:25-26

COPPER ROCKFISH Sebastes caurinus

Similar species:

Brown RF - head spine count differs; body color light brown w/ darker brown

mottling; operculum w/ dark blotch.

Gopher RF - body w/ about 6 gray or pink blotches; lateral line dark and broken by

blotches.

Quillback RF - anal rays typically 7 (typically 6 in Copper RF); cheeks and breast w/

small spots.
Body color: Light brown, flushed w/ red; about 4 dark blotches along base of dorsal

fin; a brownish-red stripe below lateral line.

Maximum length: 9 in (23 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 150 fm (274 m) Shape between eyes: flat

Common depth: 17-150 fm (30-274 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-15, Ar:5-7, P1:16-18,

GR:37-43, LLp:37-46, LLs:45-50, V:27-28

PYGMY ROCKFISH Sebastes wilsoni

Similar species:

Puget Sound RF - body color differs, brownish-red stripe absent below lateral line;

anal rays typically 7 (typically 6 in Pygmy RF).

Shortbelly RF - anus about midway between anal-fin origin and pelvic-fin base

(immediately in front of anal fin in Pygmy RF); anal spine 2 shorter than 3; head

spines weaker.

Sharpchin RF - dorsal blotches extend below lateral line; symphyseal knob sharp and

prominent; strong dark stripes extend posterior to eye.

Pacific Ocean Perch - symphyseal knob sharp, elongate; head spines weak and count

differs; anal spine 2 shorter than 3.

Body color: Copper-red w/ indefinite olivaceous blotches; green bands radiate from

eye; spinous dorsal green, w/ bright red at tips of spines; outer soft dorsal bright red,

base of fm dark; paired and anal fins clear, brillant red. (Also see underwater photo.)

Maximum length: 7 in (18 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 200 fm (366 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 6-200 fm (10-366 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-15, Ar:6-7, P1:16-18,

GR:37-41, LLp:40-46, LLs:41-46, V:27-28

PUGET SOUND ROCKFISH Sebastes emphaeus

Similar species:

Pygmy RF - brownish-red stripe below lateral line, squared blotches at base of dorsal

fin; anal rays typically 6 (typically 7 in Puget Sound RF).

Shortbelly RF - anus about midway between origin of anal fin and pelvic-fin base

(immediately in front of anal fin in Puget Sound RF); anal spine 2 shorter than 3.

Sharpchin RF - dorsal blotches extend below lateral line; symphyseal knob sharp and

prominent; strong dark stripes extend posterior to eye.

Pacific Ocean Perch - symphyseal knob sharp, elongate; head spines weak and count

 typically differs; anal spine 2 shorter than 3.

Body color: Gray to greenish brown on back and sides, darker blotches under soft

dorsal fin; ventral sides and pectoral and pelvic fins tinged w/ pink; orange-redbrown flecks on sides. (Also see underwater photo.)

Maximum length: 17 in (53 cm) Peritoneum color: light to dark

Maximum depth: 287 fm (525 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 55-164 fm (100-300 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-16, Ar:7-9, P1:17-19,

GR:32-36, LLp:45-52, LLs:47-58, V:28

LIGHT DUSKY ROCKFISH Sebastes ciliatus

Similar species:

Dark Dusky RF - mouth smaller, maxilla to midorbit, symphyseal knob small;

peritoneum jet black; body uniform black or dark blue.

Black RF - anal-fin margin rounded w/ anterior slant; peritoneum light; spinous

dorsal fin often w/ black spots; mandibular pores reduced (evident in Dusky RF);

head spine count differs, spine 4 present.

Yellowtail RF - peritoneum light; head spine count differs; body w/ brassy wash;

fins dusky yellow;dorsal rays typically 14 (typically 15 in Dusky RF).

Northern RF - typically 14 dorsal spines (typically 13 in Dusky RF); oblique light

band on lower portion of pectoral fin (faint in Dusky RF).

Widow RF - anal-fin margin w/ strong posterior slant; head spine count differs;

maxilla extends anterior to midorbit (maxilla extends to beyond midorbit in Dusky

RF).

Body color: Uniform black to dark blue on back and sides, darker mottling below

posterior spinous dorsal and anterior soft dorsal fins;slightly lighter on belly.

Maximum length: 18 in (46 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 85 fm (153 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 56 fm (< 100 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-16, Ar:7-8, P1:18-19,

GR:32-36, LLp:41-54, LLs:46-53, V:28

DARK DUSKY ROCKFISH Sebastes sp. cf. ciliatus

Similar species:

Black RF - mouth larger, extending beyond orbit; symphyseal knob obsolete;

peritoneum white; body with light blotches at dorsal base and white belly; head spine

count differs, spine 4 present.

Light Dusky RF - mouth larger, extending beyond midorbit; symphyseal knob

larger; peritoneum light to dark; body typically tan, always light pink on belly.

Blue RF - body blue gray w/ dark bars across head and nape; head spine count

differs.
Body color: Bluish-black w/ darker mottling on back, paler color on sides, and Body color: Black on back, becoming gray mottled w/ black on sides, whitish

grayish ventrally; fins dark. (Also see underwater photo.) ventrally; pelvic fins light, other fins dark. (Also see underwater photo.)

Maximum length: 21 in (53 cm) Peritoneum color: light or dark

Maximum depth: 300 fm (549 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 33-167 fm (60-300 m) Counts: D:XIII,lS-17, Ar:8-10, P1:17-19,

GR:32-38, LLp:47-53, LLs:50-56, V:26-27

BLUE ROCKFISH Sebastes mystinus

Similar species:

Black RF - anal-fin margin rounded w/ slight anterior slant; mouth larger, maxilla

extends beyond midorbit; eye larger; head spine count differs; anal rays typically 7-8

(typically 9 in Blue RF); dorsal rays typically 15 (typically 16 in Blue RF).

Dusky RF - body gray or greenish brown in Light Dusky RF,uniform dark blue in

Dark Dusky RF; head spines typically absent; mouth larger, maxilla extends beyond

midorbit; eye larger; anal rays typically 7-8 (typically 9 in Blue RF); dorsal rays

typically 15 (typically 16 in Blue RF).

Yellowtail RF and Olive RF - body dark olive; mouth larger, maxilla extends

beyond midorbit; eye larger; head spine count differs.

Widow RF - anal-fin margin w/ strong posterior slant; head spine count typically

differs; body dusky brown.

Maximum length: 25 in (63 cm)

Maximum depth: 200 fm (366 m)

Common depth: < 83 fm (< 150 m)

Peritoneum color: light

Shape between eyes: convex

Counts: D:XIII-XIV,13-16, Ar:7-9, P1:18-20,

GR:32-39, LLp:46-55, LLs:50-55, V:26

BLACKROCKFISH Sebastes melanops

Similar species:

Blue RF - mouth smaller, maxilla extends anterior to midorbit; eye smaller; anal-fin

margin perpendicular; head spine count differs.

Dusky RF - body color gray to greenish brown in Light Dusky RF, uniform dark

onto belly in Dark Dusky RF; anal-fin margin perpendicular; symphyseal knob

present; mandibular pores evident (reduced in Black RF); head spines typically

absent.

Yellowtail RF - body color brassy; fins washed w/ yellow; anal-fin margin perpendicular; head spine count differs.

Olive RF - body color olive-brown; fins olive to yellow; head spine count differs;

anal-fm margin perpendicular.
Body color: Dark gray-green to black on back becoming silver on sides and abruptly

red-orange to white ventrally; lips blackened; lower portions of pectoral, anal, and

pelvic fins washed w/ red-orange to pink.

Maximum length: 28 in (71 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 205 fm (375 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 55-164 fm (100-300 m) Counts: D:XIV,13-17, Ar:7, P1:16-18,

GR:33-36, LLp:44-53, LLs:58-70, V:26

SILVERGRAY ROCKFISH Sebastes brevispinis

Similar species:

Bocaccio - body reddish; head spine count differs; gill rakers 27-32 (33-36 in

Silvergray RF); anal rays typically 8 (7 in Silvergray).

Shortbelly RF - anus midway between pelvic-fin base and anal-fin origin; body color

reddish; head spine count differs; maximum length 32 cm.

Chilipepper RF - maxilla extends to midorbit; body reddish, lateral line clear red;

anal rays 8-9 (7 in Silvergray RF).

Dusky RF - head spines typically absent; body deeper; body brown to tan.

Yellowtail RF - body brassy w/ yellow fins; head spine count differs; body deeper.

Body color: Black to gray w/ yellow mottling; three dark bars radiate posteriorly

from eye.

Maximum length: 20 in (50 cm)

Maximum depth: 270 fm (550 m)

Common depth: ? fm (? m)

Peritoneum color: dark

Shape between eyes: convex

Counts: D:XIV,14-17, Ar:7-9, P1:18-20,

GR:34-41, LLp:37-52, LLs:48-78, V:29-30

GRAY ROCKFISH Sebastes glaucus

Similar species:

Dusky RF - body tan to dark blue-black; symphyseal knob moderate to small (symphyseal knob absent in Gray RF); pectoral rays typically 18 (typically 19 in Gray

RF).

Black RF - body black to gray, white ventrally; body slender (robust in Gray RF);

head spine count differs; peritoneum typically light; head spine count typically

differs.

Yellowtail RF - symphyseal knob strong (absent in Gray RF); peritoneum light.
Body color: Grayish brown w/ brassy yellow wash becoming light gray on side and

white ventrally; sides finely speckled w/ brown; several vague light blotches on back;

fins dusky yellow. (Also see underwater photo.)

Maximum length: 26 in ( 66 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 300 fm (549 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 27-137 fm (50-250 m) Counts: D:XII-X111,14-16, Ar:7-9, P1:17-19,

GR:34-49, LLp:49-55, LLs:55-60, V:26

YELLOWTAILROCKFISH Sebastes jlavidus

Similar species:

Olive RF - anal rays typically 9 (typically 7-8 in Yellowtail RF); pale areas on back

Dusky RF - peritoneum dark; dorsal rays typically 15-16 (typically 14 in Yellowtail

RF); fm membranes dark.

more prominent; pectoral rays completely dark (often edged w/ pink in Yellowtail);

Black RF - anal-fin margin rounded; body color black to blue-black, white ventrally;

pectoral rays typically 19 (typically 18 in Yellowtail RF).

pectoral rays typically 17 (typically 18 in Yellowtail RF); fin membranes dark.

Widow RF - anal fin w/ strong posterior slant (perpendicular in Yellowtail RF);

body color dusky brown; pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins w/ black membranes (dusky

in Yellowtail RF); mouth small, maxilla to midorbit (well past midorbit in Yellowtail

RF).

Body color: Dark olive-gray dorsally becoming lighter gray on lower sides and white

ventrally; clear splotches evident along the top of back; sides finely speckled w/ dark

gray; fins dark olive w/ yellow.

Maximum length: 24.5 in (61 cm)

Maximum depth: 80 fm (146 m)

Common depth: 0-16 fm (0-30 m)

Peritoneum color: light

Shape between eyes: convex

Counts: D:XII-XIII,15-17, Ar:8-10, P1:17-19,

GR:29-36, LLp:50-57, LLs:?-?, V:26

OLIVE ROCKFISH Sebastes serranoides

Similar species:

Yellowtail RF - anal rays typically 8 (typically 9 in Olive RF); less prominent pale

areas on back; pectoral rays often edged w/ pink (none in Olive RF); pectoral rays

typically 18 (typically 17 in Olive RF).

Widow RF - anal-fin margin w/ strong posterior slant; fin membranes black; peritoneum dark; anal rays typically 8 (typically 9 in Olive RF); pectoral rays typically 18

Black RF - anal-fin margin rounded; body color black to blue-black, white ventrally;

pectoral rays typically 19 (typically 17 in Olive RF); anal rays typically 8 (typically 9

(typically 17 in Olive RF); mouth small, maxilla to midorbit (well past midorbit in

in Olive RF).

Olive RF).
Body color: Light brown or tan w/ dark brown or black spotting and vague mottling

on back and sides; tips of jaws blackened; membranes of lower fins blackened.

Maximum length: 22 in (56 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 200 fm (366 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 16-200 fm (30-366 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-16, Ar:7-8, P1:17-19,

GR:29-34, LLp:45-55, LLs:?-?, V:27

SPECKLED ROCKFISH Sebastes ovalis

Similar species:

Bank RF - body typically dusky red to gray; lateral line in clear zone; gill rakers

typically 34-35 (typically 31-33 in Speckled RF).

Brown RF - operculum w/ dark blotch; body w/out small dark spots; maxilla extends

to rear of orbit (midorbit in speckled); head spines strong, spine 8 present.

Yellowtail RF - peritoneum light; head spine count differs; anal-fm margin perpendicular.

Widow RF - speckling absent (present in Speckled RF); pelvic- and anal-fin membranes black (dusky in Speckled RF); gill rakers 34-38 and lateral line pores 52-60

(rakers 29-34 and pores 45-55 in Speckled RF).

Body color: Uniform dusky-brown w/ traces of light yellow-red; fins brown to black,

membranes of pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins black. Specimens < 10 in (25cm) w/

vague streaks of orange.

Maximum length: 23 in (59 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 205 fm (375 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 55-192 fm (100-350 m) Counts: D:XIII,14-16, Ar:7-10, P1:17-19,

GR:34-38, LLp:52-60, LLs:58-66, V:26-27

WIDOW ROCKFISH Sebastes entomelas

Similar species:

Yellowtail RF - mouth large, maxilla extends beyond midorbit (maxilla extends

anterior to midorbit in Widow RF); body brassy w/ yellow fins; anal-fm margin

perpendicular.

Black RF - mouth large, maxilla extends beyond midorbit (maxilla extends anterior

to midorbit in Widow RF) body dusky gray to black; anal-fin margin rounded;

pectoral rays typically 19 (typically 18 in Widow RF).

Blue RF - body blue to black w/ stripes on nape; body deep; dorsal rays typically 16

(typically 15 in Widow RF).

Light and Dark Dusky RF - mouth large, maxilla extends beyond midorbit (maxilla

anterior to midorbit in Widow RF); body deep; anal-fm margin perpendicular.

Speckled RF - speckling present on dorsum (absent in Widow RF); anal and pelvicfin membranes dusky (black in Widow RF); gill rakers 29-34 and lateral line pores

45-55 (rakers 34-38 and pores 52-60 in Widow RF).
Body color: Dusty-tan w/ several angular, dark-brown blotches on or just above Body color: Light brown mottled w/ dark brown; a dark blotch on upper portion of

lateral line. opercle, fins dusky-pink. (Also see underwater photo.)

Maximum length: 11 in (29 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 100 fm (183 m) Shape between eyes: convex

Common depth: 10-100 fm (18-183 m) Counts: D:XII-XIV,14-17, Ar:6-7, P1:16-18,

GR:35-43, LLp:49-58, LLs:57-67, V:27

SQUARESPOT ROCKFISH Sebastes hopkinsi

Similar species:

Pygmy RF - body w/ squarish blotches at dorsal-fin base only; head spines strong

and differ in count.

Maximum length: 22 in (56 cm)

Maximum depth: 70 fm (128 m)

Common depth: < 55 fm ( < 100 m)

Peritoneum color: light

Shape between eyes: convex to flat

Counts: D:XIII,12-15, Ar:5-8, P1:15-19,

GR:25-29, LLp:40-50, LLs:45-52, V:26-27

BROWNROCKFISH Sebastes auriculatus

Similar species:

Quillback RF - body mottled yellow anteriorly w/ freckles on breast; dorsal-fin

membranes deeply incised; head spine count typically differs.

Copper RF - body mottled w/ white and yellow; posterior 2/3 of lateral line clear;

head spine count differs.

Grass RF - body green; gill rakers short and stubby, 17-25 (25-29, not short in

Brown RF).

Speckled RF - body w/ small dark spots; head spines weak and differ in count;

maxilla extends to midorbit (to rear of orbit or beyond in Brown RF).
Body color: Gray to brown mottled w/ yellow on anterior portion of body, and w/

orange-brown spotting on lower, anterior of body; fins dark, except anterior portion

of spinous dorsal fin, which is splashed w/ yellow. (Also see underwater photo.)

Maximum length: 24 in (61 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 150 fm (274 m) Shape between eyes: convex to concave

Common depth: 5-80 fm (9-147 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-14, Ar:6-7, P1:16-18,

GR:29-33, LLp:34-48, LLs:39-45, V:26

QUILLBACKROCKFISH Sebastes maliger CHINA ROCKFISH Sebastes nebulosus

Similar species: Similar species:

Brown RF’ - body brown w/ dark mottling; dorsal-fm membranes not deeply incised; Black-and-Yellow RF - body w/ irregular yellow blotches on back; anal rays

head spine count typically differs. typically 6 (typically 7 in China RF).

Quillback RF - body brown w/ yellow mottling; dorsal-fin margins deeply incised.

Brown RF - body brown w/ dark brown mottling; head spine count typically differs.

Copper RF - posterior two-thirds of lateral line clear; dorsal-fin membranes not

deeply incised; anal rays typically 6 (typically 7 in Quillback RF).

China RF - body black w/ yellow stripe along lateral line and across nape; dorsal-fm

margin not deeply incised.

Body color: Blue-black mottled w/ yellow; a broad, irregular yellow stripe present,

whitish or bluish-white spotting on body; tins dark. (Also see underwater photo.)

Maximum length: 17 in (43 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 70 fm (128 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 10-50 fm (18-92 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-14, Ar:6-8, P1:17-19,

GR:26-31, LLp:37-48, LLs:43-48, V:26
Body color: Olive-brown w/ irregular clear, light-gray or pink blotches on back,

lateral line, and on lower sides; clear areas tend to run together on lower sides.

Maximum length: 17 in (41 cm)

Maximum depth: 30 fm (55 m)

Common depth: 0-9 fm (0-17 m)

Peritoneum color: light

Shape between eyes: concave

Counts: D:XIII,12-13, Ar:5-7, P1:16-18,

GR:26-30, LLp:35-49, LLs:?-?, V:26

GOPHER ROCKFISH Sebastes carnatus

Similar species:

Black-and-Yellow RF - body black w/ yellow blotches (brown w/ flesh-colored

blotches in Gopher RF); gill rakers typically 27-28 (typically 28-30 in Gopher RF).

Quillback RF - body w/ broad yellow mottling (irregular, small, and flesh-colored

blotches in Gopher RF); spinous dorsal-fin margin deeply incised.

Brown RF - body w/ darker brown mottling (irregular, small, and flesh-colored

blotches in Gopher RF); head spines 6 and 8 typically present.

Body color: Black, w/ irregular clear yellow blotches on back, lateral line, and lower

sides; clear areas tend to run together on lower sides; yellow patch on membranes

between anterior dorsal spines.

Maximum length: 15 in (38 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 20 fm (37 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 0-10 fm (0-19 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-14, Ar:5-7, P1:17-18,

GR:25-30, LLp:35-46, LLs:?-?, V:26

BLACK-AND-YELLOW ROCKFISH Sebastes chrysomelas

Similar species:

Gopher RF - body brown w/ flesh-colored blotches (black w/ yellow in Yellow-andBlack RF); gillrakers typically 28-30 (typically 27-28 in Black-and-Yellow RF)

China RF - body black w/ broad yellow stripe; anal rays typically 7 (typically 6 in

Black-and-Yellow RF).

Quillback RF - body brown w/ yellow mottling; spinous dorsal-fin membranes

deeply incised; anal rays typically 7 (typically 6 in Black-and-Yellow RF).

Brown RF - body brown w/ darker brown mottling; anal rays typically 7 (typically 6

in Black-and-Yellow RF); head spines 6 and 8 typically present.
Body color: Dark olivaceous green, lighter ventrally; fins dark.

Maximum length: 22 in (56 cm)

Maximum depth: 25 fm (56 m)

Common depth: 0-9 fm (0-15 m)

Peritoneum color: light

Shape between eyes: convex

Counts: D:XIII,12-14, Ar:6, P1:18-20,

GR:17-25, LLp:40-49, LLs:?-?, V:26

GRASS ROCKFISH Sebastes rastrelliger

Similar species:

Kelp RF - gill rakers typically 31-34, not short; pectoral fin reaches vent (does not

Brown RF - gill rakers 25-29, not short; dark blotch on operculum (absent in Grass

RF); body brown.

reach vent in Grass RF); body brown.

Gopher RF - gill rakers 26-30, not short; body brown, mottled w/ light areas.

Black RF - gill rakers 32-39, not short; body black to gray; head spines weak and

count differs.

Body color: Dark-olive gray to olive-brown, darker w/ mottling, tins same color as

body.

Maximum length: 17 in (43 cm)

Maximum depth: 25 fm (46 m)

Common depth: 5-7 fm (9-12 m)

Peritoneum color: light

Shape between eyes: convex

Counts: D:XIII,13-15, Ar:6-7, P1:16-18,

GR:28-34, LLp:36-45, LLs:?-?, V:26

KELP ROCKFISH Sebastes atrovirens

Similar species:

Gopher RF - body mottled w/ light areas; gillrakers 26-30 (typically 31-34 in Kelp

RF).

Grass RF - gillrakers short and stubby, 17-25 (28-34 not short in Kelp RF); pectoral

fin does not reach vent (reaches vent in Kelp RF); head spine count typically differs;

body green (olive-brown in Kelp RF).

Brown RF - dark blotch on operculum (absent in Kelp RF); head spines 6 and 8

typically present.
Body color: Light pink w/ several broad vertical dark-red bands on body; bands Body color: Light pink w/ several broad vertical dark-red bands on body; bands

faded in large specimens. faded in large specimens.

Maximum length: 22 in (56 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 342 fm (625 m) Shape between eyes: concave to flat

Common depth: 82-219 fm (150-400 m) Counts: D:XIII,13-15, Ar:6-8, P1:17-20,

GR:29-33, LLp:41-51, LLs:56-64, V:26

REDBANDED ROCKFISH Sebastes babcocki

Similar species:

Flag RF - first red band stops ventrally at lower edge of operculum; pectoral rays

typically 17 (typically 19 in Redbanded RF); rare north of San Francisco.

Tiger RF - all head spines present; body red w/ black or crimson bars; anal spine 2

equal to or shorter than 3.

Treefish - body dark olive dorsally, yellowish ventrally w/ 5-6 black-olive bands;

head spine 8 present.

Shortraker RF - body typically uniform pink to orange-pink occasionally w/ faint

darker red bands above lateral line; head spine count differs; anal spine 2 shorter than

3; peritoneum light w/ black dots; lateral line pores 28-32 (41-51 in Redbanded RF).

Maximum length: 26 in (64 cm) Peritoneum color: light to dark

Maximum depth: 165 fm (302 m) Shape between eyes: concave to flat

Common depth: 16-100 fm (30-183 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-15, Ar:6-8, P1:16-18,

GR:26-30, LLp:39-47, LLs:?-?, V:26

FLAGROCKFISH Sebastes rubrivinctus

Similar species:

Redbanded RF - first red band passes over operculum and stops at pectoral-fin base;

pectoral rays typically 19 (typically 17 in Flag RF); uncommon south of San Francisco.

Tiger RF - all head spines present; body red w/ black or crimson bars; anal spine 2

equal to or shorter than 3.

Treefish - body dark olive dorsally, yellowish ventrally w/ 5-6 black-olive bands;

head spine 8 present.

Shortraker RF - body typically uniform pink to orange-pink occasionally w/ faint

darker red bands above lateral line; head spine count differs; anal spine 2 shorter than

3; peritoneum light w/ black dots.
Body color: Light red to orange w/ several broad, vertical black-red bands on body;

in young specimens, the tips of the ventral and anal fins are blackened. (Also see

underwater photo.)

Maximum length: 24 in (61 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 150 fm (274 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 30-150 fm (55-274 m) Counts: D:XII-XIV,12-15, Ar:6-7, P1:18-20,

GR:27-32, LLp:36-50, LLs:44-53, V:26

TIGER ROCKFISH Sebastes nigrocinctus TREEFISH Sebastes serriceps

Similar species: Similar species:

Redbanded RF and Flag RF - red bands on light pink background; head spine 6 and Redbanded RF and Flag RF - red bands on light pink background; head spine 8

8 absent. absent.

Treefish - black bands on olive-yellow background; head spine count differs, spine 3

and 6 absent.

Tiger RF - black bands on light red background coloration; head spine count differs.

Body color: Dark olive above, yellowish below; sides of body w/ 5-6 distinct,

vertical, black-olive bands; lips tinged w/ pink; anal fin dark.

Maximum length: 16 in (40 cm)

Maximum depth: 25 fm (46 m)

Common depth: < 22 fm ( < 40 m)

Peritoneum color: light

Shape between eyes: concave

Counts: D:XIII,13-15, Ar:5-7, P1:17-19,

GR: 17-30, LLp:44-54, LLs:?-?, V:26
Body color: Orange-yellow w/ light olivaceous mottling on back; 4 or 5 clear, white

blotches, bordered w/ light pink or orange on upper part of body; dusky area on

opercle; fins pink, w/ some yellow-green.

Maximum length: 16.5 in (41 cm) Peritoneum color: dark to gray w/ spots

Maximum depth: 300 fm (549 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 55-192 fm (100-350 m) Counts: D:XII-XIV,12-14, Ar:6-7, P1:15-18,

GR:28-33, LLp:34-45, LLs:42-48, V:26

ROSETHORN ROCKFISH Sebastes helvomaculatus

Similar species:

Greenspotted RF - body typically w/ round green spots and streaks on back; pectoral

rays typically 17; gillrakers 31-36 (typically 28-31 in Rosethorn RF).

Rosy RF - body dark red w/ purple on back; purple band typically on nape; pectoral

rays typically 17.

Pinkrose RF - pectoral rays typically 17; body uniform pink-red.

Swordspine RF - pectoral rays typically 17; prominent symphyseal knob on projecting lower jaw (small knob on jaws of equal length in Rosethorn RF); gillrakers 34-40

(28-33 in Rosethorn RF).

Pink RF and Greenblotched RF - body w/ olive-green wavy lines; pectoral rays

typically 17.

Freckled RF - prominent knobs on upper jaw (absent in Rosethorn RF); dense

freckling on back (mottled in Rosethorn RF); gillrakers 34-39 (28-33 in Rosethorn

RF); pectoral rays typically 17; dorsal rays typically 12 (typically 13 in Rosethorn

RF).

Distribution: Gulf of Alaska - Baja California

Body color: Orange to yellow-pink w/ round, green spots and streaks on back and

upper sides; 3 to 5 whitish blotches, bordered w/ light pink or orange, on back; fins

yellow-pink.

Maximum length: 20.5 in (51 cm) Peritoneum color: gray to dark

Maximum depth: 110 fm (201 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 27-110 fm (49-201 m) Counts: D:XII,ll-15, Ar:5-7, P1:16-18,

GR:31-36, LLp:35-43, LLs:49-52, V:26-27

GREENSPOTTED ROCKFISH Sebastes chlorostictus

Similar species:

Rosethorn RF - body typically w/ faint green spots and streaks; pectoral rays

typically 16 (17 in Greenspotted RF); gillrakers typically 28-31 (31-36 in

Greenspotted RF).

Rosy RF - body red, mottled w/ purple, typically w/ purple band on nape, w/out

green spots and streaks.

Pinkrose RF - body uniform pinkish-red,w/out green spots and streaks.

Swordspine RF - body w/out green spots or streaks; mottled w/ red or purple;

symphyseal knob prominent (absent in Greenspotted RF); lower jaw projects beyond

upper jaw (jaws equal in Greenspotted RF); gillrakers typically 35-40 (31-36 in

Greenspotted RF).

Pink RF and Greenblotched RF - body w/ irregular greenish blotches and wavy lines

on back (round spots in Greenspotted RF).

Freckled RF - prominent knobs on upper jaw (absent in Greenspotted RF).

Distribution: Washington - Baja California
Body color: Orange-red to purple w/ yellow wash on lower sides; 4 or 5 clear,

whitish blotches, bordered w/ purple-red on upper part of body; fins pink w/ yellow.

(See also underwater photo.)

Maximum length: 15 in (36 cm) Peritoneum color: gray to dark

Maximum depth: 70 fm (128 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 16-25 fm (30-46 m) counts: D:XIII-XIV,ll-14, Ar:5-7, P1:16-18,

GR:29-34, LLp.36.46, LLs:?-?, V:26

ROSY ROCKFISH Sebastes rosaceus PINK ROCKFISH Sebastes eos

Similar species: Similar species:

Rosethorn RF - body orange-red, white spots bordered by light pink or orange; Greenblotched RF - pectoral rays typically 17 (typically 18 in Pink RF); gillrakers

pectoral rays typically 16 (typically 17 in Rosy RF); caudal peduncle typically typically 30-34 (26-31 in Pink RF); spines absent on lower edge of operculum (1-2 in

thinner,depth less than orbit width (greater than orbit width in Rosy RF). Pink RF); upper gillrakers not rudimentary (rudimentary in Pink RF).

Pinkrose RF - body uniform red; caudal peduncle depth typically less than orbit Greenspotted RF - body w/ round green spots; upper gillrakers not rudimentary

width (greater than orbit width in Rosy RF). (rudimentary in Pink RF); scales on lower jaw few or absent (lower jaw scaled in

Starry RF - body covered w/ white dots; gillrakers 25-30 (29-34 in Rosy RF). Pink RF); gillrakers 31-36 (26-31 in Pink RF).

Swordspine RF - lower jaw projecting (jaws equal in Rosy RF); symphyseal knob Rosethorn RF - pectoral rays typically 16 (typically 17-18 in Pink RF); upper

prominent (absent or small in Rosy RF); gillrakers 34-40 (29-34 in Rosy RF). gillrakers not rudimentary (rudimentary in Pink RF).

Greenspotted RF - body orange-red w/ green spots, white spots bordered by light Freckled RF - prominent knobs bordering notch in upper jaw (absent in Pink RF);

pink or orange; caudal peduncle typically thinner,depth less than orbit width (greater back w/ dense green freckling; gillrakers 34-39 (26-31 in Pink RF); upper gillrakers

than orbit width in Rosy RF). not rudimentary (rudimentary in Pink RF).

Pink RF and Greenblotched RF - body w/ irregular greenish blotches.

Freckled RF - prominent knobs bordering notch in upper jaw & dense green freckling on back (absent in Rosy RF); gillrakers 34-39 (29-34 in Rosy RF).

Distribution: Washington (Cobb Seamount) - Baja California

Swordspine RF - lower jaw projects (jaws equal in Rosy RF); symphyseal knob

prominent (absent or small in Rosy RF); gillrakers 34-40 (26-31 in Pink RF).

Rosy RF - body red, mottled w/ purple (green spots and streaks in Pink RF)

Distribution: Oregon - Baja California

Body color: Faded pink w/ vague green streaks and small blotches on back; 3 to 5

whitish blotches on back; fins yellow-pink.

Maximum length: 22 in (56 cm) Peritoneum color: dark or light

Maximum depth: 200 fm (366 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 41-200 fm (76-366 m) Counts: D:XIII,ll-13, Ar:5-7, P1:17-18,

GR:26-31, LLp:34-42, LLs:?-?, V:26
Body color: Faded pink w/ vague green streaks and small blotches on back; 3 to 5

whitish blotches on back; fins yellow-pink.

Maximum length: 22 in (56 cm) Peritoneum color: dark or light

Maximum depth: 217 fm (396 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 33-217 fm (61-396 m) Counts: D:XIII-XIV,ll-13, Ar:5-6, P1:16-18,

GR:28-34, LLp:34-42, LLs:43-54, V:26

GREENBLOTCHEDROCKFISH Sebastes rosenblatti

Similar species:

Pink RF - pectoral rays typically 18 (typically 17 in Greenblotched RF); gillrakers

typically 26-30 (30-34 in Greenblotched RF); spines on lower edge of operculum

typically 1-2 (absent in Greenblotched RF); upper gillrakers rudimentary (not

rudimentary in Greenblotched RF).

Greenspotted RF - body w/ round green spots; scales on lower jaw few or absent

(lower jaw scaled in Greenblotched RF).

Rosethorn RF - pectoral rays typically 16 (17 in Greenblotched RF).

Freckled RF - prominent knobs bordering notch in upper jaw (absent in

Greenblotched RF); back w/ dense freckling; gillrakers 34-39 (30-34 in

Greenblotched RF).

Rosy RF - body red mottled w/ purple, w/out green spots and streaks; scales on

lower jaw few or absent (scaled in Greenblotched RF).

Pinkrose RF - body uniform red; scales on lower jaw few or absent (scaled in

Greenblotched RF).

Distribution: Central California - Baja California

Body color: Light-red, washed w/ green above lateral line and yellow below; 3 or 4

whitish blotches, bordered w/ light green on back; fins red w/ yellow-green membranes.

Maximum length: 12 in (39 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 238 fm (433 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 38-236 fm (70-433 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-14, Ar:5-7, P1:16-18,

GR:34-40, LLp:34-44, LLs:?-?, V:26

SWORDSPINE ROCKFISH Sebastes ensifer

Similar species:

Rosethorn RF and Greenspotted RF - body w/ green mottling or spots; symphyseal

knob weak and jaws about equal in length; gillrakers 28-33 (34-40 in Swordspine

RF).

Rosy RF - body orange-red to purple; jaws about equal in length; gillrakers typically

29-34 (34-40 in Swordspine RF).

Pink RF and Greenblotched RF - body pinkish-green, w/ wavy green streaks; jaws

about equal in length; gillrakers typically 26-31 (34-40 in Swordspine RF).

Pinkrose RF - body uniform red; jaws about equal in length; gillrakers 28-33 (34-40

in Swordspine RF).

Southern RF - body w/ vermiculations on back; pectoral rays typically 18 (typically

17 in Swordspine RF).

Freckled RF - prominent knobs bordering notch in upper jaw (absent in Swordspine

RF); jaws about equal w/out symphyseal knob.

Distribution: Central California - Baja California
Body color: Orange-red shading into yellowish on lower sides; body profusely

covered w/ small, white to pinkish spots; 3 to 5 clear, whitish blotches on back;

larger specimens may become dusky on back.

Maximum length: 18 in (45 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 150 fm (274 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 13-150 fm (24-274 m) Counts: D:XIII-XIV,12-14, Ar:5-7, P1:16-18,

GR:25-30, LLp:37-47, LLs:?-?, V:25-26

STARRY ROCKFISH

Similar species:

Sebastes constellatus

Other White-Spotted Red species lack scattered white spots. Other White-Spotted Red species lack bronze spots above lateral line.

Distribution: Northern California - Baja California

Body color: Red, w/ light dusky on back; bronze-colored spots on upper sides and

back, including base of dorsal fin; light orange areas under anterior and posterior of

soft dorsal fin; lateral line in a narrow, pink zone.

Maximum length: 28.5 in (7 1 cm) Peritoneum color: light

Maximum depth: 205 fm (375 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 40-205 fm (75-375 m) Counts: Dr:XIII,13-15, Ar:6-8, P1:18-20,

GR:26-30, LLp:40-46, LLs:?-?, V:26

BRONZESPOTTED ROCKFISH Sebastes gilli

Similar species:

Distribution: Central California - Baja California
Body color: Light orange, overlaid w/ fine, blackish dots around margins of scales,

giving body a honeycomb appearance; 3 to 5 clear whitish blotches on back; fins

orange.

Maximum length: 18 in (45 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 65 fm (119 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 16-65 fm (30-119 m) Counts: D:XIII-XIV,ll-13, Ar:5-7, P1:15-18,

GR:31-38, LLp:33-44, LLs:?-?, V:26

HONEYCOMBROCKFISH

Similar species:

Sebastes umbrosus

Other White-Spotted Red species lack blackish scale margins.

Distribution: Central California - Baja California

Body color: Uniform red w/ 4 or 5 clear, conspicouous white blotches; occasionally

dusky on back.

Maximum length: 12 in (30 cm) Peritoneum color: gray

Maximum depth: 160 fm (293 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 54-169 fm (99-293 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-14, Ar:5-6, P1:16-18,

GR:28-33, LLp:33-40, LLs:?-?, V:26

PINKROSE ROCKFISH Sebastes simulator

Similar species:

Rosethorn RF, Greenspotted RF, and Greenblotched RF - body orange-yellow w/

green mottling or spots.

Rosy RF - body purple-red; caudal peduncle depth greater than orbit width (caudal

peduncle depth less than orbit width in Pinkrose RF).

Pink RF - body w/ green streaks; upper gillrakers rudimentary (not rudimentary in

Pinkrose RF); lower edge of operculum w/ 1-2 spines (lower edge smooth in

Pinkrose RF).

Swordspine RF - prominent symphyseal knob on projecting lower jaw (symphyseal

knob absent, jaws about equal in Pinkrose RF); anal spine 2 reaches tips of anal rays

(does not reach tips in Pinkrose RF)

Freckled RF - prominent knobs on upper jaw (absent in Pinkrose RF); dense freckling on back (uniform red in Pinkrose RF); gillrakers 34-39 (28-33 in Pinkrose RF);

dorsal rays typically 12 (typically 13 in Pinkrose RF).

Distribution: Northern California - Baja California
Body color: Pinkish, densely freckled w/ dark green on back; 4 to 5 pale blotches on Body color: Yellow to orange w/ red vermiculations on back; fin membranes golden

back; dark streaks on caudal fm. w/ traces of blue in pectoral and soft dorsal fin.

Maximum length: 9 in (23 cm) Peritoneum color: dark

Maximum depth: 92 fm (168 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 21-92 fm (40-168 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-13, Ar:6-7, P1:16-18,

GR:34-39, LLp:33-41, LLs:?-?, V:26

Maximum length: 8 in (22 cm) Peritoneum color: gray w/ spots

Maximum depth: 136 fm (250 m) Shape between eyes: concave

Common depth: 82-136 fm (150-250 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-13, Ar:6, P1:18,

GR:29-34, LLp:33-40, LLs:?-?, V:26

FRECKLED ROCKFISH Sebastes lentiginosus SOUTHERN ROCKFISH Sebastes notius

Similar species: Similar species:

Greenspotted RF - knobs on upper jaw absent; gillrakers typically 31-34 (34-39 in

Freckled RF)

Rosethorn RF - knobs on upper jaw absent; faint green mottling on back (dense in

Freckled RF); gillrakers 28-33 (34-39 in Freckled RF); pectoral rays typically 16

(typically 17 in Freckled RF); dorsal rays typically 13 (typically 12 in Freckled RF).

Rosy RF - knobs on upper jaw absent; body red, mottled w/ purple (dense green in

Freckled RF); gillrakers 29-34 (34-39 in Freckled RF).

Pink RF and Greenblotched RF - knobs on upper jaw absent; vague green streaks

and blotches on back (dense in Freckled RF); gillrakers 26-31 (34-39 in Freckled

RF).

Pinkrose RF - knobs on upper jaw absent; body uniform red (dense green freckling

in Freckled RF); gillrakers 28-33 (34-39 in Freckled RF); dorsal rays typically 13

(typically 12 in Freckled RF).

Honeycomb RF - knobs on upper jaw absent; scales w/ darkly pigmented margins.

Distribution: Southern California - Baja California

Swordspine RF - body w/out red vermiculations on back; pectoral and soft dorsal

membranes dusky; pectoral rays typically 17 (typically 18 in Southern RF); anal

spine 2 reaches tips of anal rays (does not reach tips in Southern RF).

Distribution: Baja California
Sources of Species Account Figures

Sebastes alutus - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040216, Gulf of Alaska,

58.75 N 150.35 W, 146 m, 4 Aug 93.

Sebastes proriger - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040217, southeastern

Gulf of Alaska, 55.64 N 135.0 W, 202 m, 26 Jul 96.

Sebastes reedi - Photo by D. W. Kessler, UW 040219, southeastern

Gulf of Alaska, 54.76 N 134.0, 212 m, 27 Jul 93.

Sebastes goodei - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040220, off Pt. Conception, California, 34.90 N 120.91 W, 229 m, 10 Jun 98.

Sebastes paucispinis - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040221, off

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, 49.1 N, 126.60 W, 255 m, 1

Sep 95.

Sebastes jordani - Photo by R. R. Lauth, off Monterey, California,

Jun 92.

Sebastes semicinctus - Photo by R.R. Lauth, off Oregon, Nov 92.

Sebastes rufinanus - Illustration after photograph of holotype of Lea and

Fitch (1972).

Sebastes crameri - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040222, off Washington,

48.83 N 126.60 W, 390 m, 31 Aug 95.

Sebastes zacentrus - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040223, southeast Gulf

of Alaska, 55.64 N 134.97 W, 202 m, 26 Jul 96.

Sebastes variegatus - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040224, 55.64 N

134.97 W, 202 m, 26 Jul 96.

Sebastes saxicola - Photo by R.R. Lauth, off Washington, Nov 92.

Sebastes diploproa - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040225, off Oregon,

44.78 N 124.68 W, 274 m, 21 Oct 93.

Sebastes aurora - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040226, off Oregon,

44.89 N 124.89 W, 424 m, 19 Oct 93.

Sebastes phillipsi - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes levis - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040227, off Monterey,

California, 37.23 N 122.80 W, 204 m, 30 Oct 97.

Sebastes ruberrimus - Photos by R.R. Lauth, UW 040228, northern

Gulf of Alaska, 58.90 N 151.56 W, 3 Aug 93. Inset photo, northern

Gulf of Alaska, 1993.

Sebastes aleutianus - Photos by R.R. Lauth, UW 040229, central

Aleutian Islands, 51.45 N 178.61 W, 399 m, 18 Jul 94. Inset photo

UW 040232, northern Gulf of Alaska, 57.26 N 150.76 W, 357 m,

27 Jul 93.

Sebastes borealis - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040230, Gulf of Alaska, 59.69 N

148.91 W, 178 m, 13 Jul 96.

Sebastes melanostomus - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040231, off northern

California, 41.44 N 124.51 W, 436 m, 16 Nov 95.

Sebastes miniatus - Photo by R.R. Lauth, 28 Jul 92, off Monterey, California,

37.33 N 122.52 W, 60 m, 28 Jul 92.

Sebastes pinniger - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040233, southeastern Gulf of

Alaska, 56.68 N 135.66 W, 163 m, 25 Jul 96.

Sebastes macdonaldi - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes melanosema - Illustration after Lea and Fitch (1979).

Sebastolobus alascanus - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040234, northern Gulf of

Alaska, 55.93 N 154.16 W, 293 m, 24 Jul 93.

Sebastolobus altivelis - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040235, off Oregon, 43.38

N 124.93 W, 293 m, 2 Nov 93.

Sebastolobus macrochir - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040236, central Aleutian

Islands, 51.92 N 176.66 W, 349 m, 24 Jul 94.

Adelosebastes latens - Photo by A. Cleveland, UW 22685, 335 mm SL, male,

Aleutian Is., SW of Ilak Is., 687 m.

Sebastes polyspinis - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040237, northern Gulf of

Alaska, 56.80 N 152.74 W, 71 m, 19 Jul 93.

Sebastes rufus - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040238, off Monterey, California,

36.73 N 121.98 W, 230 m, 13 Jun 98.

Sebastes elongatus - Photo by R. R. Lauth, UW 040239, off Oregon, 44.41 N

124.77 W, 76 m, 11 Jun 98.

Sebastes caurinus - Photos by J.W. Orr, UW 040240, off Monterey, California, 35.38 N 120.97 W. Inset photo, UW 040254, Neah Bay, Washington,

Sep 98.

Sebastes wilsoni - Photo by R.R. Lauth, UW 040241, 59.52 N 148.59 W, 96

m, 10 Jul 96.

Sebastes emphaeus - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes dalli - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes ciliatus - Photo by D. W. Kessler, northern Gulf of Alaska, 56.35 N

152.42 W, 101 m, 23 Apr 86.

Sebastes sp. cf. ciliatus - Photo by J. W. Orr, UW 040243, Southeast Alaska,

Soapstone Cove, 58.10 N 136.50 W, 10m,14 Jul 58.

Sebastes melanops - Photo by J. W. Orr, UW 040244, Gulf of Alaska, northern

Gulf of Alaska, Apr 94.

43
Sources of Species Account Figures (cont’d)

Sebastes mystinus - Photo by R.R. Lauth, N of Monterey, California, 37.33

N 122.52 W, 60 m, 28 Ju192.

Sebastes glaucus - Illustration after photograph of Masuda et al. (1984).

Sebastes brevispinis - Photo by R. R. Lauth, UW 040245, eastern Aleutian

Islands, 53.67 N 165.39 W, 208 m, 27 May 96.

Sebastes entomelas - Photo by R. R. Lauth, UW 040246, off Cape Blanco,

Oregon, Nov 93.

Sebastes flavidus - Photo by R. R. Lauth, UW 040247, off Oregon, 44.08 N

124.96 W, 386 m, 28 Oct 93.

Sebastes ensifer - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes constellatus - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes gilli - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes umbrosus - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes simulator - Illustration after photograph of holotype by Chen (1971).

Sebastes lentiginosus - Illustration after photograph of holotype by Chen (1971).

Sebastes notius - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes hopkinsi - Photo by R. R. Lauth, off Pt. Conception, California,

34.75 N 120.829, 104 m, 16 Jul 92.

Sebastes ovalis - Photo by R. R. Lauth, off Pt. Conception, California, 34.75

N 120.829, 104 m, 16 Jul 92.

Sebastes serranoides - Photo by R. R. Lauth, off Pt. Conception, California,

34.75 N 120.829, 104 m, 16 Jul 92.

Sebastes auriculatus - Photo by J. W. Orr, UW 040248, off Monterey,

California, 37.56 N 122.74 W, 54 m, 18 Jun 98.

Sebastes maliger - Photo by D. W. Kessler, UW 040249, Gulf of Alaska, off

Kodiak Is.

Sebastes nebulosus - Photo by R. R. Lauth, UW 040250, Neah Bay, Washington.

Sebastes carnatus - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes chrysomelas - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes rastrelliger - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes atrovirens - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes babcocki - Photo by R. R. Lauth, UW 040251, southeastern Gulf

of Alaska, 54.53 N 133.53 W, 343 m, 29 Jul 96.

Sebastes rubrivinctus - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes nigrocinctus - Photo by R. R. Lauth, UW 040252, northern Gulf of

Alaska, 59.24 N 148.33 W, 112 m, 10 Jul 96.

Sebastes serriceps - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes helvomaculatus - Photo by D.W. Kessler, UW 040253, southeastern

Gulf of Alaska, 54.71 N 134.02 W, 216 m, 24 Jul 93.

Sebastes chlorostictus - Photo by M. E. Wilkins, off Washington/Oregon.

Sebastes rosaceus - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes eos - Illustration after Hitz (1965).

Sebastes rosenblatti - Illustration after photograph of holotype of Chen

(1971).
UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHS

45
INDEX TO COMMON NAMES INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES
RECENT TECHNICAL MEMORANDUMS

Copies of this and other NOAA Technical Memorandums are available from the

National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22167 (web

site: www.ntis.gov). Paper and microfiche copies vary in price.

AFSCTHROWER, F., R. MARTIN, and R. HEINTZ. 1998. Effect of seawater entry date on 24-hour plasma

sodium concentration and survival of juvenile spring chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) reared

in marine net-pens, 18 p. NTIS No. PB98-173545.

MURPHY, J. M., N. E. MALONEY, and B. L. WING. 1998. Distribution and abundance of zooplankton

in the north Pacific Subarctic Frontal Zone and adjacent water masses, 31 p. NTIS No. PB98-159163.

FRITZ, L. W., and S. A. LOWE. 1998. Seasonal distributions of Atka mackerel (Pleurogrammus

monopterygius) in commercially-fished areas of the Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska, 29 p. NTIS No.

PB98-153703.

WING, B. L., and J. J. PELLA. 1998. Time series analyses of climatological records from Auke Bay,

Alaska, 90 p. NTIS No. PB98-149206.

PACUNSKI, R. E., P. A. LIVINGSTON, and B. S. MILLER. 1998. Food of flathead sole Hippoglossoides

elassodon in the eastern Bering Sea, 27 p. NTIS No. PB98-148679.

WILKINS, M. E., M. ZIMMERMANN, and K. L. WEINBERG. 1998. The 1995 Pacific west coast bottom

trawl survey of groundfish resources: Estimates of distribution, abundance, and length and age

composition, 138 p. plus Appendices. NTIS No. PB98-136252.

FRITZ, L. W., A. GREIG, and R. F. REUTER. 1998. Catch-per-unit-effort, length, and depth distributions

of major groundfish and bycatch species in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska regions

based on groundfish fishery observer data, 179 p. NTIS No. PB98-139298.

SINCLAIR, E. H. (editor) 1997. Fur seal investigations, 1996, 115 p. NTIS No. PB98-131790.

SINCLAIR, E.H. (editor). 1997. Fur seal investigations, 1995, 188 p. NTIS No. PB98-131808.

KINOSHITA, R. K., A. GREIG, and J. M. TERRY. 1998. Economic status of the groundfish fisheries off

Alaska, 1996, 91 p. NTIS No. PB98-126170.

LAAKE, J., D. RUGH, and L. BARAFF. 1998. Observations of harbor porpoise in the vicinity of acoustic

alarms on a set gill net, 40 p. NTIS No. PB98-117641.

RUTECKI, T. L., M. F. SIGLER, and H. H. ZENGER JR. 1997. Data report: National Marine Fisheries

Service longline surveys, 1991-96, 64 p. NTIS No. PB98-108822.

MARTIN, M. H. 1997. Data report: 1996 Gulf of Alaska bottom trawl survey, 235 p. NTIS No. PB98-

103930.

LAUTH, R. R. 1997. The 1996 Pacific West Coast upper continental slope trawl survey of groundfish

resources off Washington and Oregon: Estimates of distribution, abundance, and length composition,

156 p. NTIS No. PB97-208912.

LAUTH, R. R. 1997. The 1995 Pacific West Coast upper continental slope trawl survey of groundfish

resources off southern Oregon and northern California: Estimates of distribution, abundance, and length

composition, 110 p. NTIS No. PB97-208920.

LAUTH, R. R., M. E. WILKINS, and P. A. RAYMORE JR. 1997. Results of trawl surveys of groundfish

resources of the West Coast upper continental slope from 1989 to 1993, 342 p. NTIS No. PB97-208904.