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Honeycomb rockfish (Sebastes umbrosus) — Sebastidae

Honeycomb rockfish

Sebastes umbrosus
Family: Sebastidae

The Honeycomb rockfish (Sebastes umbrosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
29.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–119.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Pacific; rocky bottoms, usually shallower than 70 m.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The honeycomb rockfish is a rockfish (Sebastidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has a stocky, red-brown body with a honeycomb-like pattern of pale scale edges and a few pale saddle blotches. It lives on or near the bottom of rocky areas, usually shallower than seventy metres. Like other rockfishes it is livebearing. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small crustaceans and other invertebrates. The fin spines are venomous; a sting is painful.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Honeycomb rockfish?

The Honeycomb rockfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern. Honeycomb pattern of pale scale margins; ovoviviparous rockfish with venomous fin spines.

Where does the Honeycomb rockfish live?

The Honeycomb rockfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeast Pacific; rocky bottoms, usually shallower than 70 m.

How big does the Honeycomb rockfish get?

The Honeycomb rockfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Honeycomb rockfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Honeycomb rockfish is harmless to humans. 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 Honeycomb rockfish edible?

Yes, the Honeycomb rockfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Honeycomb rockfish (Sebastes umbrosus) — Sebastidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Kai, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Honeycomb rockfish (Sebastes umbrosus) — Sebastidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Nancy Fernandez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Honeycomb rockfish (Sebastes umbrosus) — Sebastidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Jonathan Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Honeycomb rockfish (Sebastes umbrosus) — Sebastidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Lauren Martin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Honeycomb rockfish verified
Scientific name
Sebastes umbrosus
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Rockfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
29.8 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)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
119.0 verified
Natural range
Northeast Pacific; rocky bottoms, usually shallower than 70 m. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and other invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Honeycomb pattern of pale scale margins; 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
Harmless 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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