Rockfish Conservation
Statewide Rockfish Initiative

Bank Rockfish (Sebastes rufus)
ID: Brownish black to red-brown coloration and covered with black spots. Pink-orange stripe along lateral line.
Max Size: 55.2 cm / 21.7 in
Max Age: 85 years
Age at Maturity: 20 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Blackgill Rockfish (Sebastes melanostomus)
ID: Dark red coloration with black skin on edge of gill cover and inside of mouth.
Max Size: 61 cm /24 in
Max Age: 87 years
Age at Maturity: 19 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Blackspotted Rockfish (Sebastes melanostichtus)
ID: Pink to red coloration with dark spots across body and on dorsal fin.
Max Size: 69 cm / 27 in
Max Age: 205 years
Age at Maturity: Unknown
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)

Bocaccio Rockfish (Sebastes paucispinis)
ID: Olive orange to burnt orange or brown. Lower jaw is long and projects past upper jaw.
Max Size: 91 cm / 36 in
Max Age: Unknown
Age at Maturity: Unknown
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Broadfin Thornyhead (Sebastolobus macrocheir)
ID: Bright red coloration with black blotches on dorsal fin. Deep body with a short 3rd dorsal fin spine.
Max Size: 38 cm / 15.2 in
Max Age: Unknown
Age at Maturity: Unknown
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA (AKFSC, National Marine Fisheries, NOAA)

Brown Rockfish (Sebastes auriculatus)
ID: Various shades of brown in coloration with distinct dark brown patch on gill cover. Pinkish on underside of throat and lower jaw.
Max Size: 56 cm / 22.4 in
Max Age: 34 years
Age at Maturity: 5 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)

Canary Rockfish (Sebastes pinniger)
ID: Orange coloration with white or gray stripe along lateral line. 3 orange stripes across head. Fins bright orange.
Max Size: 76 cm / 29.6 in
Max Age: 84 years
Age at Maturity: 12 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/demersal shelf
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Chilipepper Rockfish (Sebastes goodei)
ID: Pinkish red coloration with white belly. Lateral line in reddish area of body. Chin projects outward.
Max Size: 59 cm / 23 in
Max Age: 35 years
Age at Maturity: 2 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Ralph Pace Photography

China Rockfish (Sebastes nebulosus)
ID: Blue and black body mottled with yellow and a distinct yellow stripe from the 3rd and 4th dorsal spine down along the lateral line
Max Size: 45 cm / 18 in
Max Age: 79 years
Age at Maturity: 6 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/demersal shelf
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Copper Rockfish (Sebastes caurinus)
ID: Greenish brown to copper with pink or yellow blotches. White on sides of body and belly. Dorsal fins are dark colored with some white.
Max Size: 66 cm / 26.4 in
Max Age: 50 years
Age at Maturity: 7 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/demersal shelf
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Darkblotched Rockfish (Sebastes crameri)
ID: Pink to orange coloration with 3–5 dark patches dorsally on body.
Max Size: 58 cm / 23.2 in
Max Age: 105 years
Age at Maturity: 8 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Emperor Rockfish (Adelosebastes latens)
ID: Bright red coloration with dark blotching across body. Multiple spines and deeply lobed pectoral fins.
Max Size: 41 cm / 13.2 in
Max Age: Unknown
Age at Maturity: Unknown
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries, NOAA

Gray Rockfish (Sebastes glaucus)
ID: Gray or blackish with yellow and orange mottling coloration. Yellow fins with dark bars around eyes.
Max Size: 50 cm / 20 in
Max Age: 19 years
Age at Maturity: 10 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA (AKFSC, National Marine Fisheries, NOAA)

Greenstriped Rockfish (Sebastes elongatus)
ID: White to reddish coloration with horizontal green stripes on body. Lightly colored belly.
Max Size: 43 cm / 15.6 in
Max Age: 54 years
Age at Maturity: 10 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Ralph Pace Photography

Harlequin Rockfish (Sebastes variegatus)
ID: Red, orange, to reddish-brown coloration with dark fins. Tail is dark with pink or red bands.
Max Size: 38 cm / 18 in
Max Age: 47 years
Age at Maturity: Unknown
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries, NOAA

Longspine Thornyhead (Sebastolobus altivelis)
ID: Red to orange coloration with some black on fins. Long 3rd dorsal spine and large sharp spines along head.
Max Size: 39 cm / 15.6 in
Max Age: 45 years
Age at Maturity: 23 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries, NOAA

Northern Rockfish (Sebastes polyspinis)
ID: Dark red coloration with gray and orange molting. White on lower edge of pectoral fin. 14 dorsal spines.
Max Size: 48 cm / 19.2 in
Max Age: 57 years
Age at Maturity: 13 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries, NOAA

Pacific Ocean Perch (Sebastes alutus)
ID: Pale to bright red coloration with dark markings dorsally. Lower jaw with large forward facing knob.
Max Size: 53 cm / 21.2 in
Max Age: 100 years
Age at Maturity: 8 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)

Puget Sound Rockfish (Sebastes emphaeus)
ID: Brownish-red to copper in coloration with dark blotches dorsally.
Max Size: 18.3 cm / 7.2 in
Max Age: 22 years
Age at Maturity: 2 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA

Pygmy Rockfish (Sebastes wilsoni)
ID: Tan or pink in coloration with a silver belly and a brownish red stripe below the lateral line. Dark blotches along base of dorsal fin.
Max Size: 23 in / 9 in
Max Age: 26 years
Age at Maturity: Unknown
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries, NOAA

Quillback Rockfish (Sebastes maliger)
ID: Brown coloration with yellow to orange blotches. 1st dorsal fin with yellow streak. Deeply incised dorsal fin membrane.
Max Size: 61 cm / 24 in
Max Age: 95 years
Age at Maturity: 11 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/demersal shelf
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Redbanded Rockfish (Sebastes babcocki)
ID: Pink to red coloration with 4 dark red vertical stripes along body. 1 stripe radiates from each eye.
Max Size: 65.5 cm / 25.5 in
Max Age: 106 years
Age at Maturity: 19 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Redstripe Rockfish (Sebastes proriger)
ID: Light red mottled coloration. Distinct red stripe along lateral line. Lips blackened.
Max Size: 51 cm / 20.4 in
Max Age: 55 years
Age at Maturity: 7 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries, NOAA

Rosethorn Rockfish (Sebastes helvomaculatus)
ID: Orange to yellow coloration with greenish mottling. 4–5 white blotches on back outlined with pink.
Max Size: 41 cm / 16 in
Max Age: 87 years
Age at Maturity: Unknown
Management Category: Nonpelagic/demersal shelf
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries, NOAA

Rosy Rockfish (Sebastes rosaceus)
ID: Light to dark orange coloration with purple on top of head. 4–6 white spots on back.
Max Size: 36 cm / 14 in
Max Age: 14 years
Age at Maturity: Unknown
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Ralph Pace Photography

Rougheye Rockfish (Sebastes aleutianus)
ID: Red coloration with dark blotches. 2-10 spines along lower rim of eye.
Max Size: 97 cm / 38 in
Max Age: 205 years
Age at Maturity: 20 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Shortraker Rockfish (Sebastes borealis)
ID: Pink to orangish-red with all fins having some black coloration. Short gill rakers tipped with small knobs.
Max Size: 120 cm / 48 in
Max Age: 157 years
Age at Maturity: 12 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Sharpchin Rockfish (Sebastes zacentrus)
ID: White, pink, or red coloration with dark patches on back that extend below lateral line. 2 dark patches behind eye. Distinct V-shaped bars behind eyes. No spines on edge of gill cover
Max Size: 45 cm / 18 in
Max Age: 58 years
Age at Maturity: Age at Maturity 10 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries, NOAA

Shortspine Thornyhead (Sebastolobus alascanus)
ID: Bright red to pink coloration with black on fins. Large head with sharp spines.
Max Size: 80 cm / 32 in
Max Age: 100 years
Age at Maturity: 12 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries, NOAA

Silvergray Rockfish (Sebastes brevispinis)
ID: Dark gray, green to brown on back with silverish sides. White to pink belly. Lips dark and lower jaw longer than upper jaw.
Max Size: 73 cm / 29.2 in
Max Age: 82 years
Age at Maturity: Unknown
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Mike Byerly (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

Splitnose Rockfish (Sebastes diploproa)
ID: Red coloration with pale belly. Upper jaw is notched/split with large knob on either side.
Max Size: 46 cm / 18.4 in
Max Age: 86 years
Age at Maturity: 9 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries, NOAA

Stripetail Rockfish (Sebastes saxicola)
ID: Pink-red to yellow-pink coloration with silver belly. Orange and brown along dorsal fin. Green streaks on tail.
Max Size: 41 cm / 16.4 in
Max Age: 38 years
Age at Maturity: 3 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries, NOAA

Tiger Rockfish (Sebastes nigrocinctus)
ID: Pink to white coloration with 5 red, brown, purple or black vertical stripes. Elongated head with lots of spines.
Max Size: 61 cm / 24 in
Max Age: 116 years
Age at Maturity: Unknown
Management Category: Nonpelagic/demersal shelf
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Vermillion Rockfish (Sebastes miniatus)
ID: Dark red, orange, brown, or yellow coloration mottled with gray. Red mouth, orange stripes radiate from eye, and underside of jaw rough.
Max Size: 76 cm / 30 in
Max Age: 60 years
Age at Maturity: 5 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Yelloweye Rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus)
ID: Orange red to orange yellow coloration with black on fin edges. Bright yellow eye. Light band on lateral line.
Max Size: 91 cm / 36 in
Max Age: 118 years
Age at Maturity: 22 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/demersal shelf
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Yelloweye Rockfish (juvenile) (Sebastes rubberimus)
ID: Dark red to orange in coloration with two horizontal white stripes on each side of the lateral line. As a juvenile matures the stripes will fade and the coloration will change to a lighter orange
Max Size: N/A
Max Age: N/A
Age at Maturity: N/A
Management Category: Nonpelagic/demersal shelf
Photo courtesy: Vicky Okimura (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Yellowmouth Rockfish (Sebastes reedi)
ID: Red mixed with yellow and orange coloration. Pink along lateral line. Red jaws and yellow and black blotches in mouth.
Max Size: 58 cm / 2.3 in
Max Age: 99 years
Age at Maturity: 10 years
Management Category: Nonpelagic/slope
Photo courtesy: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries, NOAA