Treefish
(Sebastes serriceps)

The treefish (Sebastes serriceps) is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Sebastinae, the rockfishes, part of the family Scorpaenidae. It is native to the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The treefish has a robust oblong-shaped body which has a depth equivalent to 36% to 40% of its standard length. The head has a covering of many spines and it has a pointed snout, small eyes, and a medium sized terminal mouth.

The dorsal fin has 13 spines and 13 to 15 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 5 to 7 soft rays.

This species attains a maximum total length of 41 cm (16 in).

The color pattern of the treefish is distinctive with the adults having bright red lips. The overall color is yellow with 6 black vertical bars and numerous white dots or dashes, the margins of the scales being white. The orbit is vermilion and there are two black bars radiating from the eye.

Distribution and habitat

The treefish is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean along the western coast of North America from Guerrero Negro in Baja California north to San Francisco, California.

This is a demersal species with a depth range of 5 to 90 m (16 to 295 ft). It can be found in exposed and sheltered rock areas as well as in kelp forests.