Brown Rockfish
Sebastes auriculatus
Physical Description
- Light brown coloration with dark brown mottling.
- Prominent dark brown spot on opercle (gill cover flap).
- Rounded bottom fin.
- Fin spines are sharp and mildly venomous.
- Can grow up to 22 inches long.
- Females are larger than males.
Range
- Prince William Sound, northern Gulf of Alaska to Bahia San Hipolito, Central Baja California, Mexico.
- Many juveniles live in San Francisco Bay.
Habitat
- Live in shallow waters, subtidal (below the low-tide line) areas, bays.
- Found in rocky areas, kelp beds, eelgrass beds, pilings.
- Older brown rockfish move to offshore, deeper waters.
- Found at depths of 0-444 feet, but commonly less than 175 feet.
Reproduction
- Reproduction is oviparous (female lays eggs).
- Females lay 55,000-339,000 eggs annually.
Diet
- Juvenile brown rockfish feed on small crustaceans, amphipods, and copepods.
- Larger brown rockfish feed on crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish.
Predators
- Lingcod, birds, dolphins, seals, sharks, cabezon, and salmon.
Interesting Facts
- Often called chocolate bass or bolina, for Bolinas Bay, where they were first caught in large numbers.
- They rarely move more than a couple of miles from home in their whole lives!
- They can live up to 34 years.
Sources: PierFishing.com; Fishbase; Aquafind.com; Mexican-fish.com
Photo: Herb Gruenhagen