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🌊 Marine 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Deep-water 🎣 Game Fish

Chameleon rockfish

Sebastes phillipsi Fitch, 1964
Max Length
43 cm
Max Weight
1.2 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.7
Depth
174–274 m
Climate
Deep-water
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
58.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
deep-water

📖 Overview

Chameleon rockfish (Sebastes phillipsi), first described by Fitch, 1964 is a large fish in the family Sebastidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 43.00 cm in maximum length and up to 1.200 kg. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 174 to 274 metres. It occurs in Deep-water waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. The species is valued as a game and sport species.

Scientific Name
Sebastes phillipsi
Authority
Fitch, 1964
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Deep-water
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Max Length
43 cm
Max Weight
1.2 kg
Depth Range
174–274 m
Trophic Level
3.7
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
58.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Chameleon rockfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 174 - 274 m . Deep-water; 37°N - 34°N, 122°W - 117°W Central Pacific: Monterey Bay to Newport Beach in southern California, USA.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌑 Deep Water
Trophic Level
3.7±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01 × L3.09 (TL)
Max TL
43cm
Max Weight
1,200g

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
58.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.7
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Deep-water
Described By
Fitch, 1964

🎣 Angling Guide

Difficulty
Beginner
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Line Weight
15-30
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Hook Size
2/0-5/0
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing popping cork soft plastics live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp cut mullet soft plastic paddle-tails popping corks
Recommended Tackle
  • medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
  • 30-50 lb braid
  • fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
  • grass flats
  • oyster bars
  • marsh drains
  • deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips

Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.

Regulations Summary

⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Sebastodes phillipsi Fitch 1964 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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