Mexican rockfish
📖 Overview
Juveniles up to 6 cm SL are pelagic . An important game fish . Viviparous, with planktonic larvae . Marketed whole or as fillet .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8; Vertebrae: 26. Branchiostegal rays: 7 .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Mexican rockfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Viviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 91 - 350 m . Subtropical; 37°N - 22°N, 123°W - 108°W Central Pacific: California, USA to southern Baja California, Mexico and the Gulf of California (between 28°58'N and 26°59'N).
🌿 Ecology
📐 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
"Mexican 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 Mexican rockfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Mexican 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)
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Mexican rockfish |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | rocote mexicano |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acutomentum macdonaldi | Eigenmann & Beeson | 1893 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 12 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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