Sebastes carnatus (Jordan & Gilbert, 1880)

Body Shape

The gopher rockfish, Sebastes carnatus, is a deep, stout-bodied fish with a steep dorsal profile. Its body depth measures 34% to 38% of its standard length. There are many spines present on both its head and body.

Body Coloration

The overall body color is dark brown, black, or greenish, fading to reddish brown on the belly. A row of flesh-colored or whitish spots and blotches runs along the fish's back, extending onto the dorsal fin, and irregular pale patches appear on its flanks.

Head Markings

One dark stripe runs rearward from the eye, and a second dark stripe runs along the upper jaw.

Head Morphology

The head is average-sized for its genus, with a short snout, a small terminal mouth, and large eyes that bulge above the head's dorsal profile.

Fin Structure

The caudal fin is truncate. The dorsal fin contains 13 spines and 12 to 14 rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 5 to 7 soft rays.

Size and Weight

This species reaches a maximum total length of 43 cm (17 in) and a maximum weight of 2.83 kg (6.2 lb).

Geographical Range

Gopher rockfish occur in the northeastern Pacific Ocean along the western coast of North America, ranging from as far north as Cape Blanco, Oregon, south to Ensenada in southern Baja California. They are most common between northern Baja California and northern California.

Habitat and Behavior

This is a demersal species, found as solitary, highly territorial individuals that stay close to shelters on rock structures or within kelp forests, at depths between 12 and 50 m (39 to 164 ft).