Cowcod (Sebastes levis)

Scientific name: Sebastes levis Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889

The Cowcod (Sebastes levis) is a marine fish of the family Sebastidae.

Biology

Found on the bottom at moderate depths, to 366 m. Juveniles are pelagic, over fine sand and clay, whereas adults (>44 cm TL) inhabit rocky areas at 90-300 m. Viviparous, with planktonic larvae.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Sebastes levis
Family: Sebastidae (Rockfishes, rockcods and thornyheads)
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 100.0
Depth range: 20–500 m (66–1640 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 20 - 500 m, usually 90 - 300 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Eastern Central Pacific: Usal, Mendocino County in central California, USA to central Baja California and Guadalupe Island (off north central Baja California) in Mexico.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Gamefish: yes
Resilience: Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (tm=11-12; tmax=55; K=0.05)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026