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Lobe-jawed rockfish (Sebastes diploproa) — Sebastidae

Lobe-jawed rockfish

Sebastes diploproa
Family: Sebastidae

The Lobe-jawed rockfish (Sebastes diploproa) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–800 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; soft bottoms far offshore.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The splitnose rockfish is a rockfish (Sebastidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 46 cm and has a reddish body with a split, forward-projecting lower jaw and upper snout, to which the name refers. Adults are common well offshore on soft bottoms, while juveniles occur in shallow water, often at the surface under drifting kelp. It is viviparous, with planktonic larvae and pelagic juveniles. The largest individuals reach the market. The fin spines are venomous and inflict a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lobe-jawed rockfish?

The Lobe-jawed rockfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Cleft, projecting snout; ovoviviparous; juveniles under drifting kelp; venomous fin spines.

Where does the Lobe-jawed rockfish live?

The Lobe-jawed rockfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; soft bottoms far offshore.

How big does the Lobe-jawed rockfish get?

The Lobe-jawed rockfish grows to a maximum of about 46 cm.

Is the Lobe-jawed rockfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Lobe-jawed rockfish is harmless to humans. The fin spines are venomous and give a painful, burning puncture wound. Immerse the wound for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) and seek medical care if pain or infection persists.

Is the Lobe-jawed rockfish edible?

Yes, the Lobe-jawed rockfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Lobe-jawed rockfish (Sebastes diploproa) — Sebastidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) tokufishy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lobe-jawed rockfish (Sebastes diploproa) — Sebastidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Zach Fratello, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lobe-jawed rockfish (Sebastes diploproa) — Sebastidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) linddealy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lobe-jawed rockfish (Sebastes diploproa) — Sebastidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) pootishedj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Lobe-jawed rockfish verified
Scientific name
Sebastes diploproa
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Rock cod; Rockfish; Splitnose rockfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
800 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; soft bottoms far offshore.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton, crustaceans and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Max. age (years)
86 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Cleft, projecting snout; ovoviviparous; juveniles under drifting kelp; venomous fin spines. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
The fin spines are venomous and give a painful, burning puncture wound. Immerse the wound for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) and seek medical care if pain or infection persists. 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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