Home · Sebastidae · Calico rockfish
Calico rockfish (Sebastes dallii) — Sebastidae

Calico rockfish

Sebastes dallii
Family: Sebastidae

The Calico rockfish (Sebastes dallii) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18.0–256.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The calico rockfish is a rockfish (Sebastidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has a stocky, yellow-brown body with irregular dark and orange spots and oblique bands. It lives on or near soft bottoms in coastal waters. Like other rockfishes it is livebearing, with planktonic larvae. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small crustaceans and other invertebrates. The fin spines are venomous; a sting is painful.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Calico rockfish?

The Calico rockfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Calico rockfish live?

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

How big does the Calico rockfish get?

The Calico rockfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Calico rockfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Calico rockfish edible?

Yes, the Calico rockfish is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Calico-roodbaars sourced
English name
Calico rockfish verified
Scientific name
Sebastes dallii
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Rockfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Spots 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)
18.0 verified
Max depth (m)
256.0 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
levensduur_max_jaar
12.0 verified

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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →