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. As larvae, blue rockfish are planktivorous and are known to feed on nauplii and invertebrate eggs as well as copepods. They feed on jellyfish, tunicates, thaliaceans, algae, small crustaceans, and small fish. Adults are subject to predation by other rockfish, lingcod, sharks, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and possibly river otters.
Juveniles fall prey to other rockfishes, lingcod, cabezon, salmon, marine birds and porpoises.
Competition Blue rockfish are commonly associated with other nearshore fish species, particularly other rockfishes. In a broad area along the entire Monterey Peninsula extending out to 240 feet deep, blue rockfish were the predominant species and were in close association with olive, yellowtail, starry, and rosy rockfishes. Critical Habitat Larval blue rockfish are pelagic. In the spring, YOY begin to appear in the kelp canopy, shallow rocky areas and nearshore sand-rock interface. Adults inhabit the midwater and pelagic areas around high-relief rocky reefs, within and around the kelp canopy and around artificial reefs.