Brown Rockfish (Sebastes auriculatus)
Resources
Status
- BC: Not Ranked
- COSEWIC: Not Ranked
- SARA: Not Ranked
- Global: Not Ranked
- Galiano Island Status: No observations around Galiano Island
Description
Brown body with dark mottling. They have a distinct dark spot on their operculum (gill flap). Their venomous spines can cause pain and injuries. They are one of the shorter lived rockfish species, living up to 34 years. They feed mainly at night on small fish, shrimp, crab and other small invertebrates.
Habitat
Prefer rocky bottoms and turbid waters. Interestingly, brown rockfish have also been found in abundance around oil platforms in California.
Range
Gulf of Alaska to central Baja California.
Threats
Overfishing, barotrauma
Photo Credit
Sara Thiebaud