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Puget Sound rockfish (Sebastes emphaeus) — Sebastidae

Puget Sound rockfish

Sebastes emphaeus
Family: Sebastidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Puget Sound rockfish (Sebastes emphaeus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–366.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Puget Sound rockfish is a small rockfish from the eastern Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a slender, coppery-red to yellow-brown body with green tints. In the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins it bears strong, weakly venomous spines that give a painful prick. It often schools over rocky reefs to about 365 metres and feeds on zooplankton. It bears live young. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Puget Sound rockfish?

The Puget Sound rockfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Puget Sound rockfish live?

The Puget Sound rockfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Puget Sound rockfish get?

The Puget Sound rockfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Puget Sound rockfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Puget Sound rockfish edible?

The Puget Sound rockfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Puget Sound-roodbaars verified
English name
Puget Sound rockfish verified
Scientific name
Sebastes emphaeus
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Puget Sound rockfish; Rock cod; Rockfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
366.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified

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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