Fin's Fish Guide
The Dusky rockfish (Sebastes ciliatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 53 cm.
Description
The dusky rockfish is a rockfish from the northern Pacific, from the Bering Sea to the Gulf of Alaska and British Columbia. The species grows to about 53 cm and has a stocky, dark-brown to grey-green body. It lives over rocky bottoms of cold water and hunts zooplankton, small fish and crustaceans. Like all rockfishes it has venomous fin spines. It is a commercial food fish and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Dusky rockfish?
The Dusky rockfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Dark cold-water body; venomous fin spines
Where does the Dusky rockfish live?
The Dusky rockfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North Pacific
How big does the Dusky rockfish get?
The Dusky rockfish grows to a maximum of about 53 cm.
Is the Dusky rockfish dangerous to humans?
The Dusky rockfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. The fin spines are venomous and give a very painful sting. Immerse the injured area in water as hot as tolerable (about 45 C) for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom, remove spine fragments, clean the wound and seek medical help for a severe reaction.
Is the Dusky rockfish edible?
Yes, the Dusky rockfish is commonly eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Sebastes
More from the family Sebastidae
Want the complete picture on the Dusky rockfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Dusky rockfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.