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

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