In addition, tagging studies of adult blue rockfish indicate they do not migrate laterally along the coast. While studies show adult blue rockfish populations are more or less discreet at each fishing port, it is not known how much larval drift occurs between fishing areas. Rockfishes in general are considered to be slow-growing fishes. However, blue rockfish are among the faster growing rockfishes. First year growth may vary from 3.0 to 4.5 in., and after 2 yr blues may reach 6 inches.
Females grow at a slightly faster rate than males.
Studies in central California have shown that in males the gonads increase in size from May to July, but in females the eggs begin maturing from July to October. Mating takes place in October, but the embryos do not begin to develop until December when the eggs are fertilized by the stored sperm. Blue rockfish are thought to spawn once a year. Larvae are planktonic for four to five months, where they may be carried many miles by ocean currents. No information on disease in blue rockfish was found.