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Rock cod (Sebastes reedi) — Sebastidae

Rock cod

Sebastes reedi
Family: Sebastidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Rock cod (Sebastes reedi) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 58 cm.

Length
58 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
137.0–375.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Eastern Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The yellowmouth rockfish is a rockfish from the eastern Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 58 cm and has a stocky, pink to orange-red body with a yellowish mouth cavity. In the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins it bears strong, weakly venomous spines that give a painful prick. As a near-bottom fish it lives over the continental slope, between about 135 and 375 metres, often in schools, and hunts krill, crustaceans and small fish. It bears live young. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Rock cod?

The Rock cod has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Yellowish mouth cavity; weakly venomous fin spines; ovoviviparous

Where does the Rock cod live?

The Rock cod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific

How big does the Rock cod get?

The Rock cod grows to a maximum of about 58 cm.

Is the Rock cod dangerous to humans?

The Rock cod is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. If stung by the spines: immerse the affected part in water as hot as tolerable (about 45 C) for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom, remove visible spine fragments, and seek medical help for severe pain or swelling.

Is the Rock cod edible?

Yes, the Rock cod is commonly eaten.

More photos

Rock cod (Sebastes reedi) — Sebastidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) LJBRION, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Rock cod (Sebastes reedi) — Sebastidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Fisheries and Oceans Canada, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Rock cod (Sebastes reedi) — Sebastidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) LJBRION, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Rock cod (Sebastes reedi) — Sebastidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Alex Munday, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Rock cod verified
Scientific name
Sebastes reedi
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Rockfish; Yellowmouth rockfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
58.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
137.0 verified
Max depth (m)
375.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Krill, crustaceans and small fishes inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
99.0 verified
Seasonality
Near-bottom schooling redfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Yellowish mouth cavity; weakly venomous fin spines; ovoviviparous sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Longline fishing sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified
First aid
If stung by the spines: immerse the affected part in water as hot as tolerable (about 45 C) for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom, remove visible spine fragments, and seek medical help for severe pain or swelling. verified

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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