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Black-throated rock-fish (Sebastes borealis) — Sebastidae

Black-throated rock-fish

Sebastes borealis
Family: Sebastidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Black-throated rock-fish (Sebastes borealis) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 108 cm.

Length
108 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–1200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
North Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The shortraker rockfish is a large, long-lived rockfish from the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 108 cm and has a stocky, pink to orange-red body; some specimens live more than a hundred years. In the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins it bears strong, weakly venomous spines that give a painful prick. As a near-bottom fish it lives over a wide depth range and hunts fish, crustaceans and squid. It bears live young. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-throated rock-fish?

The Black-throated rock-fish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Very long-lived (>100 years); weakly venomous fin spines; ovoviviparous

Where does the Black-throated rock-fish live?

The Black-throated rock-fish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North Pacific

How big does the Black-throated rock-fish get?

The Black-throated rock-fish grows to a maximum of about 108 cm.

Is the Black-throated rock-fish dangerous to humans?

The Black-throated rock-fish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. If stung by the spines: immerse the affected part in water as hot as tolerable (about 45 C) for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom, remove visible spine fragments, and seek medical help for severe pain or swelling.

Is the Black-throated rock-fish edible?

Yes, the Black-throated rock-fish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Black-throated rock-fish (Sebastes borealis) — Sebastidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) LJBRION, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black-throated rock-fish (Sebastes borealis) — Sebastidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) LJBRION, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black-throated rock-fish (Sebastes borealis) — Sebastidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) LJBRION, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black-throated rock-fish (Sebastes borealis) — Sebastidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) LJBRION, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Black-throated rock-fish verified
Scientific name
Sebastes borealis
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Buoy keg; Rock cod; Rockfish; Shortraker rockfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
108.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1200.0 verified
Natural range
North Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes, crustaceans and squid inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
157.0 verified
Seasonality
Long-lived near-bottom rockfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Very long-lived (>100 years); weakly venomous fin spines; ovoviviparous sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Longline fishing sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified
First aid
If stung by the spines: immerse the affected part in water as hot as tolerable (about 45 C) for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom, remove visible spine fragments, and seek medical help for severe pain or swelling. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Sebastes

More from the family Sebastidae

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