Species and Habitat Outlines

Yelloweye Rockfish
TAXONOMY

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Osteichthyes
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Scorpaenidae

 

ECOLOGICAL DATA

Distribution: common in rocky areas and reefs both inshore and offshore.

Habitat: adults common around steep cliffs, rocky reefs, offshore pinnacles and boulder fields; mate in late fall or early winter; larvae released from May to Jul; juveniles often hide in rock crevices; adults are demersal and solitary; tend to remain localized and do not make extensive migrations.

Tidal elevation: range to 365 m; most common inshore at 40-70 m depth.

Food: fish (e.g. gadids, sand lance, herring, lump sucker and other rockfishes), rock crabs, shrimp and snails.

Predators: fishes such as lingcod and rockfishes.

GROWTH RATE

Slow; late maturing; females sexually mature 50-52 cm (15-20 y), and males 52-60 cm; maximum age is over 90 yr (91 cm).

 

FISHERY

Important component of commercial catch in north coast; 1986 total rockfish commercial catch was 18,781 t valued at $11.8 million; sportfishing limit is 8.

REFERENCES

Hart, J.L. 1973. Pacific fishes of Canada. Fish. Res. Board Can. Bull 180: 442-443.

Lamb, A., and P. Edgell. 1986. Coastal fishes of the Pacific Northwest. Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, B.C.: 117.

Nagetagaal, D. 1985. Rockfish. Underwater World. Fish. Oceans Can., Ottawa: 5 p.

Richards, L.J. 1986. Depth and habitat characteristics of three species of rockfish (Sebastes) in British Columbia: observations from the submersible PISCES IV. Environ. Biol. Fish.17: 13-21.

Rosenthal, R.J., L. Haldorson, L.J. Fild, V. Moran-O'Connell, M.G. LaRiviere, J. Underwood, and M.C. Murphy. 1982. Inshore and shallow offshore bottomfish resources in the southeastern Gulf of Alaska (1981-1982). Alas. Dep. Fish Game. Commer. Fish. Div., Juneau: 166 p.

 

For more information on yelloweye rockfish habitat utilization and life cycles

Return to Species Index