Family Scorpaenidae - scorpionfishes
This is the largest family of fishes off northern California. Rockfish comprise one of the most commercially valuable complexes of fishes and are eagerly sought after by sport fishers. Most live near rocky structures and/or kelp beds; from the subtidal to deep offshore zones.
Brown rockfish- Sebastes auriculatus
Remarks: A common rockfish along the Humboldt coast. Individual adults and schools of juveniles can be found in the bay year round. Frequently caught by anglers and are excellent eating.
Identification: Coloration is brown to reddish with darker brown mottling. A dark spot is located on the upper operculum. Pectorals, pelvics and anal fin pinkish. Length to 55cm.
Range: Southwest Alaska to central Baja. Prefers coastal shallow rocky habitats out to 128m.
Copper rockfish- Sebastes caurinus
Remarks: Found throughout the bay during all seasons. Important to the sport catch from Baja California northward, also contributes to the commercial rockfish catch.
Identification: Body is short and stout. Coloration varies but commonly are tan, olive or reddish with lighter blotches. Last half of lateral line within a white band. All fins are dusky brown. Two dark bands radiate back from eyes. Length to 57cm.
Range: Alaska to central Baja California. Prefers shallow rocky zones to a depth of 183m.
Yellowtail rockfish- Sebastes flavidus
Remarks: Observed only once in the bay. Outside the bay the yellowtail rockfish contributes to commercial and sport fisheries. A pelagic species; forms schools over deep water reefs.
Identification: Overall coloration is dark olive with pale blotches below the dorsal fin. Midbody region has reddish speckling. Length to 66cm.
Range: Alaska to southern California.
Black rockfish- Sebastes melanops
Remarks: Black rockfish are common along the Northcoast. Distributed throughout the bay but prefers rocky zones. An extremely important sport rockfish; readily accepts jigs and bait. Juvenile black rockfish are preyed upon by birds, fishes and marine mammals.
Identification: The body is black mottled and is white below. Lower dorsal fin has black spots. Jaw extends beyond eye. Length to 60cm and 4.8kg.
Range: Southern Alaska to southern California.
Vermilion rockfish- Sebastes miniatus
Remarks: A shallow water rockfish that rarely enters the bay. Vermilion rockfish inhabit rocky areas along the northcoast and are excellent eating.
Identification: Body is orange and reddish mottled to paler below. Fins are reddish; juvenile fins black edged. Three orange bands radiate back from eye. Region below the mouth rough to touch. Length to 76cm and 6.8kg.
Range: British Columbia to Baja California.
Blue rockfish- Sebastes mystinus
Remarks: Similar to the black rockfish in appearance and habits. Forms schools from shallow coastal zones to offshore areas. Caught by sport anglers on jigs and cut baits. Inhabits the jetties and other rocky areas in the bay.
Identification: Jaw extends to mideye. Body color is drab blue and whitish below. Two dark bands radiate downward form eye. Length to 53cm.
Range: British Columbia to southern California.
Bocaccio- Sebastes paucispinis
Remarks: A large rockfish which may live to thirty years. Harvested mostly by commercial fisherman; few are taken by sport anglers. Small bocaccio occasionally found in the bay's channels and jetties. Adults hover over deep water reefs with juveniles inhabiting shallow zones.
Identification: Mouth very large, jaw extends well past eye. Body is reddish brown and paler below. Anal fin has nine stiff rays. Length to 91cm and 6.8kg.
Range: Alaska to central Baja California.
Grass rockfish- Sebastes rastelliger
Remarks: Juveniles are common throughout the bay; adults prefer the protection of the jetties. This is a shallow water rockfish residing near kelp and/or rocky areas and may even frequent tidepools.
Identification: Body is stout. Coloration is dark olive above and pale below. Fins are darker than body. Length to 56cm.
Range: Oregon to Baja California.