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Rock Greenling

Hexagrammos lagocephalus

Rock Greenling

Hexagrammos lagocephalus
Other Common Names
Rock trout, sea trout
At the Aquarium
Rocky Coast, Orford Reef
Other Common Names
Rock trout, sea trout

At the Aquarium

Rocky Coast, Orford Reef

Appearance

Rock Greenlings have long bodies with background brown or green coloring; males have red or orange mottling while females have blue or light spots. On adults, the inside of the mouth is usually blue. They have red eyes and a single cirri above each eye. They have 5 lateral lines along their sides but only 1 of these is functional.

Habitat

Estuaries and nearshore rocky areas, usually near algae, typically at depths to 66 ft.

Diet

Crabs, shrimps, amphipods, worms, snails, bivalves, brittle stars, octopuses, fishes, and fish eggs

Life History

Rock Greenlings spawn from June to September. A female will lay her sticky eggs on algae at depths ranging from the intertidal zone to 90 ft. deep. During the breeding season, a female will lay ~3 batches of eggs, with a total ranging from 5,800 to 103,000 eggs. A parent will then guard the nest. Planktonic larvae hatch from eggs after ~1 month, at roughly 0.4 inches long. Larvae settle to intertidal or subtidal algal beds or rocky bottoms in late spring and summer.

These fish can reach lengths of 24 inches and live up to 18 years

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Native Americans have commonly harvested rock greenlings.

Predators include Coho salmon, Pacific cod, a variety of seabirds including horned and tufted puffins and rhinoceros auklets, bald eagles, and Steller sea lions.
Range
Western Pacific. Eastern Pacific: Alaska to California
On the Oregon Coast
In Oregon, you’re more likely to catch a rock greenling while fishing from rocky shores than from a boat.
Fun Facts
The meat of this fish is often green or blue but it turns white when cooked.

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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