Brown Rockfish

Head spines strong - nasal, preocular, postocular, tympanic, coronal (may be absent), parietal, and nuchal (may be absent) spines present, supraoculars absent (Ref. 27437). Interorbital space flat to barely convex; symphyseal knob weak or absent (Ref. 27437). Caudal fin rounded (Ref. 6885). Light brown, mottled with one or two shades of darker brown, vague dark bars dorsally, dark brown blotch on upper part of gill cover; fins and underside of throat and lower jaw pinkish (Ref. 27437). Branchiostegal rays: 7 (Ref. 36715).

Viviparous (Ref. 36715, 34817).

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 15; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 5 - 8; Vertebrae: 26 - 27

A sedentary rockfish found in shallow water and bays (Ref. 2850), among sheltering weed-covered rocks or around pilings (Ref. 27436). Viviparous, with planktonic larvae and pelagic juveniles (Ref. 36715). Fin spines are sharp and mildly venomous and can cause annoying wounds (Ref. 27436). Small live specimens make excellent bait for large lingcod (Ref. 27436). Flesh is firm and tasty, but rarely found in markets (Ref. 26346).

fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums; bait: occasionally; price category: medium; price reliability: questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this genus