Splitnose Rockfish

Head spines strong - nasal, preocular, postocular, tympanic and parietal spines present, supraocular, coronal and nuchal spines absent (Ref. 27437). Toothed knob in front of each upper jaw, deep notch between jaws (Ref. 27437). Caudal fin moderately indented (Ref. 6885). A red rockfish, silver ventrally (Ref. 27437). Branchiostegal rays: 7 (Ref. 36715).

Gives birth in spring (Ref. 27436).

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 14; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 5 - 8; Vertebrae: 26

Common offshore, on soft bottoms (Ref. 2850). Young occur in shallow water, often at surface under drifting kelp (Ref. 2850). Viviparous, with planktonic larvae and pelagic juveniles (Ref. 36715, 34817). The biggest individuals are sometimes found in markets where the flesh is sold as rockfish fillet (Ref. 27436). Rarely caught by anglers (Ref. 27436).)

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this genus