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Quillback Rockfish

Sebastes maliger

Quillback Rockfish

Sebastes maliger
Other Common Names
Orange-spotted rockfish
At the Aquarium
Rocky Coast, Orford Reef, Halibut Flats
Other Common Names
Orange-spotted rockfish

At the Aquarium

Rocky Coast, Orford Reef, Halibut Flats

Appearance

Quillback rockfish have slate-brown coloring mottled with yellow and orange, with the rear body half more uniformly dark. They also have brown spots on the gill cover and throat. The first few spines of the first dorsal fin are very tall and have a deeply incised membrane.

Habitat

Subtidally to 900’ depth, among rocks or kelp, rarely found out in the open.

Diet

Adults feed on crustaceans, other rockfish and flatfish, worms, bivalves, and fish eggs.

Life History

These fish give birth between April and July. Larvae spend the first 1-2 months as plankton and then settle near-shore, starting at 0.4 inches long, often to shallow, vegetated habitats, such as kelp or eelgrass beds. As they age, they move to deeper waters. Quillback rockfish can reach lengths of 24 inches and live up to 90 years.

IUCN Status

Not Evaluated

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

These fish are integral members of marine food webs in rocky reef, kelp, and eel grass communities. Adults serve as food to coho salmon, yelloweye rockfish, lingcod, Steller sea lions, and orcas.
Range
Gulf of Alaska to Northern Channel Islands in southern California
On the Oregon Coast
These fish are important to both sport and commercial fisheries in Oregon. They are an important part of Oregon’s nearshore commercial fishery.
Fun Facts
These fish exhibit homing behavior. A quillback will return to its home site when experimentally displaced as far as 4 miles away.

Citations & Other Resources

Back to All Animals

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About Oregon Coast Aquarium

Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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