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🌊 Marine 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical

Mexican rockfish

Sebastes macdonaldi Eigenmann & Beeson, 1893
Max Length
66 cm
Max Weight
2.7 kg
Lifespan
Trophic Level
3.8
Depth
91–350 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
67.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Juveniles up to 6 cm SL are pelagic . An important game fish . Viviparous, with planktonic larvae . Marketed whole or as fillet .

Scientific Name
Sebastes macdonaldi
Authority
Eigenmann & Beeson, 1893
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Max Length
66 cm
Max Weight
2.7 kg
Depth Range
91–350 m
Trophic Level
3.8
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
67.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 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

Diet information for Mexican rockfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Viviparous 🤰 Viviparous

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

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.8±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01 × L3.09 (TL)
Max TL
66cm
Max Weight
2,700g
Dorsal Spines
13
Dorsal Rays
13
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
8
Vertebrae
26

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Very low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
67.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.8
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Eigenmann & Beeson, 1893

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Mexican 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 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

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

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Mexican rockfish
🇪🇸Spanish rocote mexicano

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Acutomentum macdonaldi Eigenmann & Beeson 1893 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 12 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for Mexican rockfish ↗
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