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Brown bomber (Sebastes entomelas) — Sebastidae

Brown bomber

Sebastes entomelas
Family: Sebastidae

The Brown bomber (Sebastes entomelas) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–549.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The widow rockfish is a rockfish (Sebastidae) from the northeastern Pacific, from Alaska to California. The species reaches about 60 cm and has a stocky, brown to dusky body. Unlike many rockfishes it is an active, free-swimming fish that hunts in schools above rocky reefs or steep shorelines in midwater; sometimes it shelters motionless in caves and crevices. The diet consists of fishes, crustaceans and gelatinous plankton. It is livebearing and gives birth to live young. The fin spines are mildly venomous and can deliver a painful sting when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brown bomber?

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

Where does the Brown bomber live?

The Brown bomber lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Brown bomber get?

The Brown bomber grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Brown bomber dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Brown bomber edible?

Yes, the Brown bomber is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Weduwe-roodbaars sourced
English name
Brown bomber verified
Scientific name
Sebastes entomelas
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Brownie; Rockfish; Rock cod; Widow rockfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 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
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
549.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
60.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
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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