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Greenspotted rockfish (Sebastes chlorostictus) — Sebastidae

Greenspotted rockfish

Sebastes chlorostictus
Family: Sebastidae

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

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
49.0–201.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; soft bottoms near rocky terrain.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The greenspotted rockfish is a rockfish (Sebastidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a red-pink body with greenish spots on the back, to which the name refers, and a large, spiny head. It is commonly found on soft bottoms, often near rocky terrain, on the continental shelf and slope. As a bottom predator it feeds on crustaceans, small fishes and cephalopods. It is viviparous, with planktonic larvae. The fin spines are venomous and inflict a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Greenspotted rockfish?

The Greenspotted rockfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern. Greenish spots on a pinkish-red back; ovoviviparous with venomous fin spines.

Where does the Greenspotted rockfish live?

The Greenspotted rockfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; soft bottoms near rocky terrain.

How big does the Greenspotted rockfish get?

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

Is the Greenspotted rockfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Greenspotted rockfish 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 Greenspotted rockfish edible?

Yes, the Greenspotted rockfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Greenspotted rockfish (Sebastes chlorostictus) — Sebastidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Vince Golder, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Greenspotted rockfish (Sebastes chlorostictus) — Sebastidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Christian Schwarz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Greenspotted rockfish (Sebastes chlorostictus) — Sebastidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Rick Starr (SIMoN / MBNMS) (Public domain)
Greenspotted rockfish (Sebastes chlorostictus) — Sebastidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) ifreedman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Greenspotted rockfish verified
Scientific name
Sebastes chlorostictus
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Greenspotted rockfish; Rockfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Spots 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)
49.0 verified
Max depth (m)
201.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; soft bottoms near rocky terrain. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Crustaceans, small fishes and squid sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
33.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Greenish spots on a pinkish-red back; ovoviviparous 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
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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