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Grass rockfish (Sebastes rastrelliger) — Sebastidae

Grass rockfish

Sebastes rastrelliger
Family: Sebastidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Grass rockfish (Sebastes rastrelliger) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 56 cm.

Length
56 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–46.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The grass rockfish is a stocky rockfish from the eastern Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 56 cm and has a robust, olive-green to brown-green body that lets it hide well among weed and seagrass. In the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins it bears strong, weakly venomous spines that give a painful prick. As a site-attached, ambush-hunting reef-dweller it shelters in shallow water and snaps at crustaceans and small fish. It bears live young. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Grass rockfish?

The Grass rockfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Grass rockfish live?

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

How big does the Grass rockfish get?

The Grass rockfish grows to a maximum of about 56 cm.

Is the Grass rockfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Grass rockfish edible?

Yes, the Grass rockfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gras-roodbaars verified
English name
Grass rockfish verified
Scientific name
Sebastes rastrelliger
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Rockfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
56.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
46.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
28.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Handlijnen sourced
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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