Vermilion Rockfish
Sebastes miniatus

Physical Description

• Medium-sized rockfish with a compressed body.
• Bright red coloration on the body and fins; many with black and gray mottling on back and sides.
• Have a large mouth with a lower jaw that protrudes beyond small upper jaw.
• Juvenile fish will have more mottling, often darker in color.
• Adult fish usually 14-22 inches long.

Range

• From Prince William Sound, Alaska to Baja California, Mexico.

Habitat

• It is generally found over rocky bottoms.
• Found at depths of 100 to 500 feet.

Reproduction

• Mature at 5-6 years old.
• Larger fish contain more eggs; a 21-inch fish can have 1,600,000 eggs!
• Mating period from December to March.
• Internal fertilization occurs, and females give birth to live young.

Diet

• Juvenile vermilion rockfish feed primarily upon shrimp–like animals, like krill.
• The larger adults feed almost exclusively upon fishes (including smaller kinds of rockfish and white croaker), squid, and octopus.

Predators

• Predators include humans, as well as sea lions, seals, sharks, and cetaceans.

Interesting Facts

• Names of this fish also include vermilion seaperch, red snapper, red rock cod, and rasher.
• These fish can live to be 60 years old.

Sources: NOAA Fisheries; California Sea Grant; California Department of Fish and Game

Photo: Kevin Lee