Cabezon (Male)
Scorpaenichthys marmoratus

Physical Description

• Cabezon is from the Spanish for ‘large head,’ which is a main characteristic of these fish
• Large, scaleless fish with a broad bony support extending from the eye across the cheek just under the skin
• It has 11 spines on its dorsal fin. Has a stout spine before the eye
• Can reach 3 feet in length and 31 pounds in weight
• Females (#67) are larger than the males
• Males are red, with lots of mottling to help with camouflage
• Their skin and mouth can look blue

Range

• Native to the Pacific coast of North America
• North Alaska to central Baja California, Mexico

Habitat

• Live in rocky, muddy and sandy bottoms, and kelp beds
• Juvenile fish settle in intertidal pools before moving to rocky reefs and kelp forests
• Found at depths of 0–656 ft

Reproduction

• Adults spawn on rocky outcroppings in shallow water
• Males guard the eggs until they hatch
• The larvae drift in the plankton for 3-4 months before hiding in kelp mats as larval fish
• The larval fish then settle in the intertidal zone as juvenile fish

Diet

• Cabezon feed on crustaceans, mollusks, fish, and fish eggs

Predators

• Larger fish, marine mammals

Interesting Facts

• Cabezon spines, internal organs, and eggs are considered toxic to humans, but their meat can be consumed. It is blue, but will turn white when cooked.
• Unlike most fish, cabezons lack a swim bladder. Thus there is no damage to their tissues when they are brought up from deep pressure (depths) quickly.
• Cabezon are the largest sculpin species.

Sources: California Sea Grant; FishBio; Ben Frable, Scripps Institution of Oceanography; Monterey Bay Aquarium

Photo: Mark Royer