Puget Sound rockfish
(Sebastes emphaeus)
General data
Northeast Pacific: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska to northern California, USA.
Max length : 18 cm TL
Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7.
Head spines strong to moderate - nasal, preocular, postocular, tympanic and parietal spines present, supraocular, coronal and nuchal spines absent; anal fin rounded. Caudal fin weakly forked.
Reddish brown to copper with dark blotches dorsally, fading to white, often with a dark stripe ventrally; red mouth; fins transparent, tinged with pink.
Inhabits reefs and rocky shorelines and found in loose congregations hovering above the bottom or resting among caves and crevices. Seeks shelter in areas of strong current.
Flesh is tasty and flaky, but since it is rarely caught, it is seldom used as a food fish. May be used as bait for large rockfish, lingcod or cabezon.
