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Canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) — Sebastidae

Canary rockfish

Sebastes pinniger
Family: Sebastidae

The Canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 76 cm.

Length
76 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–838.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Northeast Pacific; above rocky bottoms.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The canary rockfish is a rockfish (Sebastidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has a robust, bright orange-yellow body with three orange stripes across the head and a greyish lateral line. Adults hover in loose groups above rocky bottoms, while juveniles are pelagic. Like other rockfishes it is livebearing. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small fishes, crustaceans and zooplankton. The fin spines are venomous; a sting is painful.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Canary rockfish?

The Canary rockfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Bright orange-yellow with orange head stripes; ovoviviparous rockfish with venomous fin spines.

Where does the Canary rockfish live?

The Canary rockfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeast Pacific; above rocky bottoms.

How big does the Canary rockfish get?

The Canary rockfish grows to a maximum of about 76 cm.

Is the Canary rockfish dangerous to humans?

The Canary rockfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. If stung by a fin spine: immerse the affected part in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 degrees C) to break down the venom, and seek medical care for severe or persistent symptoms.

Is the Canary rockfish edible?

Yes, the Canary rockfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) — Sebastidae — 2
Karen L. Johnson (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) — Sebastidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Zach Fratello, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) — Sebastidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Stan Shebs (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) — Sebastidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Erica, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Canary rockfish verified
Scientific name
Sebastes pinniger
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Canary rockfish; Orange rockfish; Rock cod; Rockfish; Spikehead verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
76.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
838.0 verified
Natural range
Northeast Pacific; above rocky bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
84.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bright orange-yellow with orange head stripes; ovoviviparous rockfish with venomous fin spines. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous sourced
First aid
If stung by a fin spine: immerse the affected part in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 degrees C) to break down the venom, and seek medical care for severe or persistent symptoms. sourced

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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