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Mexican rockfish (Sebastes macdonaldi) — Sebastidae

Mexican rockfish

Sebastes macdonaldi
Family: Sebastidae

The Mexican rockfish (Sebastes macdonaldi) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 66 cm.

Length
66 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
91.0–350.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Mexican rockfish is a rockfish (Sebastidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has a robust, reddish body with a few dark lengthwise stripes. Adults live near the bottom in deeper water, while juveniles up to about six centimetres are pelagic. Like other rockfishes it is livebearing. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small fishes, crustaceans and squids. It is an important game fish. The fin spines are venomous; a sting is painful.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mexican rockfish?

The Mexican rockfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Mexican rockfish live?

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

How big does the Mexican rockfish get?

The Mexican rockfish grows to a maximum of about 66 cm.

Is the Mexican rockfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Mexican rockfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Mexican rockfish edible?

Yes, the Mexican rockfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mexicaanse roodbaars sourced
English name
Mexican rockfish verified
Scientific name
Sebastes macdonaldi
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Mexican rockfish; Rockfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
66.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes 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)
91.0 verified
Max depth (m)
350.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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