Cabezon (Female)
Scorpaenichthys marmoratus

Physical Description

  • Cabezon comes from Spanish for ‘large head,’ which is a main characteristic of these fish 
  • A large, scaleless fish with a broad bony support extending from the eye across the cheek just under the skin 
  • They have 11 spines on their dorsal fin (upright fin on their back) and a thick spine before their eyes 
  • They can reach 3 feet in length and 31 pounds in weight
  • Females are larger than males (#42)
  • Females greenish in coloration, 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

  • Found in rocky, muddy, and sandy bottoms, and kelp beds
  • Juveniles settle in pools within the intertidal zone (area of shoreline covered at high tide and uncovered at low tide)
  • Found at depths of 0–656 feet

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 (aquatic arthropods like crab and lobster), mollusks (invertebrates like squid and octopus) , 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. Their meat 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: Herb Gruenhagen

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