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Copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) — Sebastidae

Copper rockfish

Sebastes caurinus
Family: Sebastidae
LC · Least Concern

The Copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 58 cm.

Length
58 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–183.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The copper rockfish is a rockfish from the northeast Pacific, ranging from Alaska to Baja California. The species grows to about 58 cm and has a stocky body in variable copper-brown to olive-yellow tones, often with a paler rear half and a coppery sheen. It is a resident of shallow, rocky coasts and kelp forests and hunts fish and crustaceans. Like all rockfishes it has venomous fin spines. The fish is a prized target for recreational anglers. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Copper rockfish?

The Copper rockfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Copper rockfish live?

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

How big does the Copper rockfish get?

The Copper rockfish grows to a maximum of about 58 cm.

Is the Copper rockfish dangerous to humans?

The Copper rockfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Copper rockfish edible?

Yes, the Copper rockfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Koperen roodbaars verified
English name
Copper rockfish verified
Scientific name
Sebastes caurinus
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Copper rockfish; Rock cod; Rockfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
58.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
183.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
57.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen bij rotsen en kelp; ook op kunstaas sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous 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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