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🌊 Marine 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Temperate

Rosethorn rockfish

Sebastes helvomaculatus Ayres, 1859
Max Length
41 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
87 yrs
Trophic Level
3.7
Depth
25–549 m
Climate
Temperate
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
66.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Overview information for Rosethorn rockfish is currently being compiled by our editorial team.

Scientific Name
Sebastes helvomaculatus
Authority
Ayres, 1859
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Temperate
Max Length
41 cm
Lifespan
87 years
Depth Range
25–549 m
Trophic Level
3.7
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
66.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6 - 7. Head spines very strong to strong - nasal, preocular, supraocular, postocular, tympanic and parietal spines present, nuchals usually absent, coronal spine absent . 2nd anal fin spine long . Caudal fin slightly indented . Orange or yellow with greenish mottling dorsally, lighter ventrally; 4 to 5 squarish white spots tinged or boarded with light pink or yellow on back .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Rosethorn rockfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Rosethorn rockfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
23cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 25 - 549 m . Temperate; 62°N - 27°N, 156°W - 113°W south of San Francisco, California.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.7±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01 × L3.09 (TL)
Max TL
41cm
Dorsal Spines
13
Dorsal Rays
13
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
7

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Very low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
66.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.7
Predator
Climate Zone
Temperate
Described By
Ayres, 1859

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Rosethorn rockfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Rosethorn rockfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Rosethorn rockfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 31 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

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View all observations for Rosethorn rockfish ↗
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