Sebastes constellatus (Jordan & Gilbert, 1880)

Scientific Name and Body Shape

The starry rockfish, Sebastes constellatus, has a robust, rhombus-shaped body whose depth is just under one third of its standard length. Its body is covered in scales.

Fin Structure

Its dorsal fin holds 13–14 spines and 12–14 soft rays, while its anal fin has 3 spines and 5–7 soft rays.

Size and Weight

This species grows to a maximum total length of 46 cm (18 in) and reaches a maximum published weight of 1.0 kg (2.2 lb).

Body and Fin Coloration

The body and fins of starry rockfish are orange-red, with darker coloring on the back. They have 5 or 6 large white blotches on their upper flanks, plus many small white spots across the upper body.

Head Characteristics

Their head is more rounded than that of related species, and it also has white blotches.

Age-related Coloration

Adult starry rockfish are darker than subadult and juvenile individuals.

Distribution Range

This species occurs in the Eastern Pacific Ocean along the west coast of North America, ranging from Humboldt County, California in the United States to Todos Santos, Baja California Sur in Mexico. It is most abundant along the coast between Central California and Central Baja California.

Depth Range

It lives at depths from 24 to 274 m (79 to 899 ft), and is most commonly found between 60 and 149 m (197 to 489 ft).

Adult Habitat

Adult starry rockfish associate with deep reefs, and only occur over hard substrates, close to large boulders or inside crevices.

Reproduction and Early Life Stage

Starry rockfish are viviparous; their larvae and juveniles are pelagic.

Adult Movement Pattern

Adult starry rockfish are sedentary and stay in the same area of seabed for their entire lives.

Diet

They are predators that feed on fish, krill, octopus, and other marine invertebrates.

Fecundity

Females can produce up to 225,000 eggs per year.

Lifespan

This species can live up to 32 years.

Predators

It is preyed on by other fishes, seabirds, and marine mammals.