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Rockfish (Sebastes serriceps) — Sebastidae

Rockfish

Sebastes serriceps
Family: Sebastidae

The Rockfish (Sebastes serriceps) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 41 cm.

Length
41 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–90.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The treefish is a rockfish (Sebastidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has a stocky, yellowish body with five to six conspicuous black vertical bands and reddish lips. It lives territorially in holes and crevices of rocky areas. Like other rockfishes it is livebearing. As an ambush hunter it feeds on crustaceans, molluscs and small fishes. The fin spines are venomous; a sting is painful.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Rockfish?

The Rockfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Rockfish live?

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

How big does the Rockfish get?

The Rockfish grows to a maximum of about 41 cm.

Is the Rockfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Rockfish edible?

Yes, the Rockfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Boomvis-roodbaars sourced
English name
Rockfish verified
Scientific name
Sebastes serriceps
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Treefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
41.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars 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)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
90.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes 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
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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