Scientific Name
Sebastes auriculatus

Common Name
Brown rockfish

Biology
A sedentary rockfish found in shallow water and bays (Ref. 2850), among sheltering weed-covered rocks or around pilings (Ref. 27436). Viviparous, with planktonic larvae and pelagic juveniles (Ref. 36715). Fin spines are sharp and mildly venomous and can cause annoying wounds (Ref. 27436). Small live specimens make excellent bait for large lingcod (Ref. 27436). Flesh is firm and tasty, but rarely found in markets (Ref. 26346).

Classification

Classified By

Girard, 1854

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Rockfishes, rockcods and thornyheads (Sebastidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: Prince William Sound, Alaska to central Baja California, Mexico.

Range

61°N - 25°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

128 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 128 m (Ref. 27437)

Trophic Level

4.03 s.e. 0.62 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

56.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums; bait: occasionally

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (58 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tmax=34; tm=5)

Threat To Humans

Venomous (Ref. 27436)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated