rockfish

black rockfish

Scientific name: Sebastes melanops

Family: Sebastidae

Phylum: Chordata 

Typical size: Up to 70 centimeters total length

Depth range: Up to 400 meters but mostly found in subtidal areas

Description: They are a black with patchy grey body and the belly is often a lighter color. Their body is shaped like an oval.

Habitat and behavior: Lives from Alaska to southern California. They eat smaller fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Can be found in small schools.

copper rockfish

Scientific name: Sebastes caurinus

Family: Sebastidae

Phylum: Chordata 

Typical size: Up to 60 centimeters long

Depth range: Up to 200 meters deep 

Description: They are a light brown with white on its belly and sides in spots. Darker lines run down from its eyes parallel to the mouth. 

Habitat and behavior: Lives from Alaska to Northern Mexico. They will live in rocks and reefs near the seafloor. They eat crabs, molluscs and other fish. Adults may swim alone or in small schools.

quillback rockfish

Scientific name: Sebastes maliger

Family: Sebastidae

Phylum: Chordata 

Typical size: Up to 60 centimeters total length

Depth range: Up to 300 meters

Description: They are dark brown with yellow and orange patches and have a lighter patch in the upper middle of its body and spiny dorsal fin.

Habitat and behavior: Lives from Alaska to Southern California. They eat molluscs, crabs and other fish. Adults prefer to live alone in deep water.