More than thirty species occur in Alaska's coastal waters, with at least twelve species ranging as far north as the Bering Sea. Adult rockfishes range in size from 5 to 41 inches with most species attaining sizes between 20 and 24 inches. These fish are characterized by having bony plates or spines on the head and body, a large mouth, and pelvic fins attached forward near the pectoral fins. The spines are venomous, and although not extremely toxic, can still cause pain and infection.
Some species are brightly colored, and many are difficult to distinguish from one another.
All species have flesh that is delicious to eat. The most common species taken include the yelloweye, quillback, copper, dusky, and black. All rockfish, or species of the genus Sebastes, are ovovivparous. This means that these fish give birth to live young after internal fertilization. There have been unconfirmed ages of fish at 114 years.