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Greenie (Sebastes flavidus) — Sebastidae

Greenie

Sebastes flavidus
Family: Sebastidae

The Greenie (Sebastes flavidus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 66 cm.

Length
66 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–549.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Pacific; open water along steep coasts and rocky reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The yellowtail rockfish is a rockfish (Sebastidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has an elongate, grey-brown body with yellowish fins, especially a yellow tail, to which the name refers. It forms schools in open water along steep shores and above rocky reefs, but also shelters in crevices of the substrate. It grows slowly, lives long and is viviparous. As a predator it feeds on small fishes, crustaceans and zooplankton. It is a valued commercial fish. The dorsal, pelvic and anal fin spines are venomous and give a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Greenie?

The Greenie has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Yellow tail; schooling, long-lived ovoviviparous rockfish with venomous fin spines.

Where does the Greenie live?

The Greenie lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Northeast Pacific; open water along steep coasts and rocky reefs.

How big does the Greenie get?

The Greenie grows to a maximum of about 66 cm.

Is the Greenie dangerous to humans?

No, the Greenie is harmless to humans. The fin spines are venomous and give a painful, burning puncture wound. Immerse the wound for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) and seek medical care if pain or infection persists.

Is the Greenie edible?

Yes, the Greenie is commonly eaten.

More photos

Greenie (Sebastes flavidus) — Sebastidae — 2
Steph Brulot-Sawchyn (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Greenie (Sebastes flavidus) — Sebastidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Paul Norwood, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Greenie (Sebastes flavidus) — Sebastidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Linda Snook. Credit: NOAA/CBNMS . (Public domain)
Greenie (Sebastes flavidus) — Sebastidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — NOAA's National Ocean Service (CC BY 2.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Greenie verified
Scientific name
Sebastes flavidus
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Rock cod; Rockfish; Yellowtail rockfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
66.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
549.0 verified
Natural range
Northeast Pacific; open water along steep coasts and rocky reefs. 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
64.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Yellow tail; schooling, long-lived ovoviviparous rockfish with venomous fin spines. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
The fin spines are venomous and give a painful, burning puncture wound. Immerse the wound for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) and seek medical care if pain or infection persists. 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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