Quillback rockfish
📖 Overview
Inhabit rocky bottoms and reefs, usually solitary on the bottom or hovering just above the bottom, but never far from cover . Viviparous . Marketed as fillets .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6 - 7. Head spines strong - nasal, preocular, postocular, tympanic and parietal spines present, supraocular, coronal and nuchal spines absent . Spinous dorsal with deeply incised membranes . Caudal fin rounded . Body mottled brown, distinct yellow areas above (including part of spinous dorsal), orange-brown spotting on lower anterior area .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Quillback rockfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 274 m , usually 0 - 92 m . Temperate; 8°C - 16°C ; 61°N - 33°N, 163°W - 118°W
🌿 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
"Quillback 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
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.2 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 1,170 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Quillback 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
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sebastichthys maliger | Jordan & Gilbert | 1880 | Synonym |
| Sebastodes maliger | Jordan & Gilbert | 1880 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 15 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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