Flag rockfish
(Sebastes rubrivinctus)
General data
Sebastes rubrivinctus, also known as the flag rockfish, Spanish flag, redbanded rockfish or barberpole, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Sebastinae, the rockfishes, part of the family Scorpaenidae. It is found in the Eastern Pacific.
Description
Sebastes rubrivinctus has a relatively slender rhombus-shaped body which is has a depth of roughly one third of its standard length with a thin, pointed head. There are 13 spines and 12 to 15 soft rays in the dorsal fin while the anal fin has 3 spines, the second spine being more robust and elongated than the third, and 6 to 8 soft rays. The caudal fin is truncate.
The overall colour is white with 4 vermilion bands on the body and 2 on the head. The band at the front of the dorsal fin reaches onto the operculum. The bands fade and the white background colour becomes less bright as the fish ages.
This species attains a maximum total length of 51 cm (20 in) and has a maximum published weight of 1.5 kg (3.3 lb).
Distribution and habitat
Sebastes rubrivinctus is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean from Cedros Island in Baja California north to Alaska where it occurs as far west as Amchitka Island. The flag rockfish is a demersal fish which is found on rocky reefs down to 302 m (991 ft).
