| Black Rockfish | |
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Family: |
Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes) |
Genus and Species: |
Sebastes melanops |
Description: |
The body of the black rockfish is oval or egg-shaped and compressed. The head has a steep upper profile which is almost straight; the mouth is large and the lower jaw projects slightly. The color is brown to black on the back, paler on the sides, and dirty white below. There are black spots on the dorsal fin. This species is easily confused with the blue rockfish; however, the anal fin of the black rockfish is rounded while the anal fin of the blue rockfish is slanted or straight. The black rockfish has spots on the dorsal fin, the blue rockfish does not. |
Range: |
Black rockfish occur from Paradise Cove, California, to Amchitka Island, Alaska. They are wide-ranging fish that can live on the surface or on the bottom to 1,200 feet near rocky reefs or in open water over deep banks or drop-offs. |
Natural History: |
The diet of the black rockfish includes squid, crab eggs, and fishes. Black rockfish are ovoviviparous, like all members of this family fertilization and development of the embryo take place in the body of the mother. When embryonic development is complete, the female releases the eggs and the exposure to sea water activates the embryo and it escapes from the egg case. |
Fishing Information: |
These fish are commonly caught from commercial passenger fishing vessels and when trolling for salmon. Use similar fishing techniques as for blue rockfish. |
Other Common Names: |
black snapper, black bass, gray rockfish, red snapper. |
Largest Recorded: |
23.75 inches; 10.5 pounds. |
Habitat: |
Shallow Rocky Environment |
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