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Gray rockfish (Sebastes glaucus) — Sebastidae

Gray rockfish

Sebastes glaucus
Family: Sebastidae

The Gray rockfish (Sebastes glaucus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–370.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Asia: Japan

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Description

The gray rockfish is a rockfish (Sebastidae) from cold coastal waters of the northern Pacific, off East Asia and the Bering Sea. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a stocky, grey-blue body with a large, spiny head. The dorsal, pelvic and anal spines are linked to venom and a sting is painful. As a bottom-bound predator it lives among rocks and on reef bottoms and snaps fish, crustaceans and invertebrates. It is livebearing. Handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gray rockfish?

The Gray rockfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue. Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.

Where does the Gray rockfish live?

The Gray rockfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Japan

How big does the Gray rockfish get?

The Gray rockfish grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Gray rockfish dangerous to humans?

The Gray rockfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. Do not touch or pick up; the fin spines carry venom. For a sting: immerse the wound in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C, not scalding) for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom. For severe pain, swelling or breathing difficulty seek medical help and check tetanus status.

More photos

Gray rockfish (Sebastes glaucus) — Sebastidae — 2
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Gray rockfish (Sebastes glaucus) — Sebastidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) ilya_murashev, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Gray rockfish (Sebastes glaucus) — Sebastidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Elena Kasandina, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Gray rockfish (Sebastes glaucus) — Sebastidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) sergeymakeev, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Gray rockfish sourced
Scientific name
Sebastes glaucus
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Gray rockfish; Blue rockfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
370.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Japan sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care. inferred

For anglers

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 verified
First aid
Do not touch or pick up; the fin spines carry venom. For a sting: immerse the wound in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C, not scalding) for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom. For severe pain, swelling or breathing difficulty seek medical help and check tetanus status. 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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