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Critter of the Month

(Skip down to the Archives)

March 2010


photo© 2010 Jeanne Luce

 

Think you know what it is? Click here for the answer and more ID tips!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANSWER!

If you guessed China Rockfish, you're right!
Sebastes nebulosus
Scorpionfish Family

Other Names: Yellowstripe Rockfish, Yellowspotted Rockfish
Description/Color: Bluish black to black with yellow spots and blotches.
Range: Common southeast Alaska to California; occasional to rare northern and central California
Size: 8-14 in, max 17 in
Hangouts/Habitat: Rocky inshore areas along exposed coastlines. Lurk in caves and crevices.
Depth: 12-400 ft
Behavior: China Rockfish generally rest on bottom propped up by their fins. When away from hole, they swim near bottom. Solitary. Their territories are apparently small, with a study off Vancouver Island finding Chinas moving only within 10 m (33 ft). They feed on benthic organisms, including brittle stars, chitons, and crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp. Unafraid and curious; china rockfish often allow close view when approached with slow nonthreatening movements.
Biggest Enemy: Humans. This species of rockfish, like many others, has a declining wild population as they are highly esteemed as one of the tastiest rockfish. They have been popular for commercial fishing since the 19th century. During the 1930s, Chinas sold for twice as much as any other rockfish except the black-and-yellow rockfish, and for more than any other kind of finfish. They are today popular in Asia, often being sold alive.
ID Clues: Yellow speckles on head and body, yellow "swoosh" from foredorsal fin that curves to run length of lateral line to tail.
Other Cool Facts: The species epithet nebulosus is Latin for "clouded". Although Jordan and Evermann promoted the common name "yellowspotted rockfish", the "China" name has persisted, due to a perceived preference by persons of Chinese ancestry living in central California.

- Contributed by Jeanne Luce, REEF PNW AAT, level 5

Critter of the Month Archives

2010

  • January - Blue Sided vs. Blue Blotched Rockfish

2009

  • January - Fish Eating Anemone
  • February - Pile Perch
  • March - Orange Cup Coral
  • April - Saddleback Gunnel
  • May - Spot Prawn
  • June - Yellowtail Rockfish
  • July - Strawberry Anemone
  • August - Speckled Sanddab
  • September - Green Sea Urchin
  • October - Mosshead Warbonnet
  • November - China Rockfish
  • December - Cloud Sponge

2008

  • January - Longfin Gunnel
  • February - Giant Barnacle
  • March - Yelloweye Rockfish
  • April - White Spotted Anemone
  • May - Decorated Warbonnet
  • June - Orange Sea Pen
  • July - Snake Prickleback
  • August - Red Sea Urchin
  • September - Sailfin Sculpin
  • October - Rock Scallop
  • November - Candy Striped Shrimp
  • December - Red Irish Lord

2007

  • December - Spiny Pink Star
  • November - YOY Rockfish
  • October - Coonstripe Shrimp
  • September - Striped Perch
  • August - Red Rock Crab
  • July - Lewis's Moonsnail
  • June - Shiner Perch
  • May - Longfin Sculpin
  • April - Moon Jelly
  • March - Black Rockfish
  • February-Tube Dwelling Anemone
  • January - Cabezon

2006

  • December - Sunflower Star
  • November - Vermilion Rockfish
  • September/October Plumose Anemone
  • August - Grunt Sculpin
  • March - July - Giant Nudibranch
  • January/February - Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker

 

2005

  • December - Penpoint Gunnel
  • November - White Lined Dirona
  • October - Kelp Greenling
  • September - Leather Star
  • August - Tube Snout
  • July - Lion's Mane Jelly and Egg Yolk Jelly
  • May - Buffalo Sculpin
  • April - Northern Kelp Crab
  • March - Brown Rockfish
  • February - GPO vs. Red Octopus
  • January - C-O Sole

2004

  • December - Orange Social Ascidians
  • November - Scalyhead Sculpin
  • October - Yellow Margin Dorid
  • September - Roughback Sculpin
  • August - Fringed Tube Worm
  • July - Pacific Sandlance
  • June - Leafy Hornmouth
  • May - There isn't one! Ooops!
  • April - Oregon Triton
  • March - Painted Greenling vs. Tiger Rockfish
  • February - Dungeness Crab
  • January - Ling Cod

2003

  • December - Slender Legs or Graceful Crab
  • November - Copper Rockfish
  • October - Lacy Bryozoan
  • September - Rock Sole
  • August - Orange Sea Cucumber
  • July - Blackeye Goby
  • June - California Sea Cucumber
  • May - Whitespotted Greenling
  • April - Gumboot Chiton
  • March - Quillback Rockfish
  • February - Shiny Orange Sea Squirt
  • January - English Sole

2002

  • December - Crescent Gunnel