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Pygmy rockfish (Sebastes wilsoni) — Sebastidae

Pygmy rockfish

Sebastes wilsoni
Family: Sebastidae

The Pygmy rockfish (Sebastes wilsoni) is a saltwater fish of the family Sebastidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–274.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The Pygmy rockfish is a rockfish (Sebastidae) from cool coastal water of the northeast Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 23 cm and has a stocky body with a large, spiny head and large eyes. As a bottom-oriented fish it keeps to rocky reefs, kelp and wrecks and hunts small fish and crustaceans. The spines in the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins are venomous and can give a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pygmy rockfish?

The Pygmy rockfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Pygmy rockfish live?

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

How big does the Pygmy rockfish get?

The Pygmy rockfish grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Pygmy rockfish dangerous to humans?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pygmee-roodbaars sourced
English name
Pygmy rockfish sourced
Scientific name
Sebastes wilsoni
Family
Sebastidae
Other names
Pygmy rockfish; Rock cod; Rockfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
274.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
26.0 verified

For anglers

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 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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