Speckled rockfish
📖 Overview
Adults are found commonly on deep rocky areas in southern California, USA from 30-366 m. Viviparous, with planktonic larvae .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8; Vertebrae: 27. Branchiostegal rays: 7 .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Speckled rockfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Viviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 365 m , usually 75 - 150 m . Subtropical; 38°N - 29°N, 124°W - 115°W north of Santa Barbara, California.
🌿 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
"Speckled 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 Speckled rockfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Speckled 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sebastodes ovalis | Ayres | 1862 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Speckled rockfish ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.