HomeMarine aquarium fishOther marine fishSkilfish Skilfish (Erilepis zonifer) Scientific name: Erilepis zonifer Lockington, 1880 The Skilfish (Erilepis zonifer) is a marine fish of the family Anoplopomatidae. Native range: North Pacific, Japan and Bering Sea to Monterey Bay in California, USA. BiologyDorsal spines: 11 - 12; Dorsal soft rays: 13-16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12. Body stout. Head round on dorsal profile. Dorsal fin separated by a space less than eye diameter. anal fin without a distinct spine. Young fish with striking white blotches on body. Color changes to dark gray.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameErilepis zoniferFamilyAnoplopomatidae (Sablefishes)OrderScorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length183Depth range0–680 m (0–2231 ft)EnvironmentMarine; bathydemersal; depth range 0 - 680 mClimateDeep-waterDistributionNorth Pacific: Japan and Bering Sea to Monterey Bay in California, USA.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariumsResilienceVery Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More other marine fishKelp greenlingHexagrammos decagrammusRock greenlingHexagrammos lagocephalusWhitespotted greenlingHexagrammos stelleriPadded sculpinArtedius fenestralisScalyhead sculpinArtedius harringtoniBarred gruntConodon nobilisSee all other marine fish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026