Sebastes helvomaculatus Ayres, 1859
Rosethorn rockfish
photo by Archipelago Marine Research Ltd.

Family:  Sebastidae (Rockfishes, rockcods and thornyheads), subfamily: Sebastinae
Max. size:  41 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 87 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 25 - 549 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Kodiak Island, Alaska to Guadalupe Island, Baja California, Mexico. Rare south of San Francisco, California.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-7. Head spines very strong to strong - nasal, preocular, supraocular, postocular, tympanic and parietal spines present, nuchals usually absent, coronal spine absent (Ref. 27437). 2nd anal fin spine long (Ref. 27437). Caudal fin slightly indented (Ref. 6885). Orange or yellow with greenish mottling dorsally, lighter ventrally; 4 to 5 squarish white spots tinged or boarded with light pink or yellow on back (Ref. 27437).
Biology:  Found on soft bottoms (Ref. 2850). Often caught on commercial longlines set below 108 m (Ref. 27437). Viviparous (Ref. 34817).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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