Shortbelly rockfish
📖 Overview
Found in a wide range of habitats, sometimes in large schools well offshore and off bottom . Juveniles are pelagic . Adults feed on planktonic animals, mainly krill . Viviparous, with planktonic larvae . A very important prey species for predatory fishes and marine mammals . Not marketed due to its small size .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 11; Vertebrae: 26. Head spines weak - nasal, preocular, postocular, tympanic and parietal spines present, supraocular, coronal and nuchal spines absent . Body slender and elongate; vent midway between origins of pelvic and anal fins . Posterior margin of caudal fin deeply indented . Greenish pink dorsally, fading to light ventrally . Branchiostegal rays: 7 .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Shortbelly rockfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Viviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 350 m . Subtropical; 60°N - 30°N, 138°W - 115°W
🌿 Ecology
planktonic animals, mainly krill (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Shortbelly rockfish is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Shortbelly rockfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Shortbelly rockfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
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