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🌊 Marine 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical

Speckled rockfish

Sebastes ovalis Ayres, 1862
Max Length
56 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
37 yrs
Trophic Level
3.8
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
70.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Adults are found commonly on deep rocky areas in southern California, USA from 30-366 m. Viviparous, with planktonic larvae .

Scientific Name
Sebastes ovalis
Authority
Ayres, 1862
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Max Length
56 cm
Lifespan
37 years
Trophic Level
3.8
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
70.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 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

Diet information for Speckled rockfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Viviparous 🤰 Viviparous
Size at Maturity
28cm TL

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

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.8±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01 × L3.09 (TL)
Max TL
56cm
Dorsal Spines
13
Dorsal Rays
15
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
8
Vertebrae
27

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
70.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.8
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Ayres, 1862

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Speckled 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 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

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

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Sebastodes ovalis Ayres 1862 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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