Yelloweye Rockfish

Sebastes ruberrimus

Yelloweye Rockfish

Sebastes ruberrimus

Halibut Flats

At the Aquarium

Halibut Flats

Appearance

Yelloweye rockfish are orange-red to orange-yellow with bright yellow eyes. The tips of their fins may be black.

Juveniles are dark red-orange with two white stripes along the body.

Yelloweye rockfish look similar to vermilion and canary rockfish but can be told apart by their rounded tail fin edges and smooth chin. They also have a raspy ridge above the eye.

Yelloweye rockfish can grow up to 3.5 feet in length and weigh up to 40 pounds.

Habitat

Found along the continental shelf in waters from 36 to 1800 feet. Adults live in rocky areas with pinnacles, crevices and cracks. Juveniles prefer shallow, rocky bottoms, sponge gardens, and high-relief areas with crevices.

Diet

Variety of fish, shrimp, and crabs.

Life History

Yelloweye rockfish spawn between February and September. Like other rockfish, this species is primitively viviparous. Fertilization of eggs and embryo development occur internally. Females give birth to larvae about the size of an eyelash. The larvae are carried with ocean currents and eventually settle onto the ocean floor.

Juveniles prefer shallow water around rocky reefs and kelp canopies. As they grow, yelloweye rockfish move into deeper water.

Yelloweye rockfish are slow to mature and are estimated to reach maturity at around 22 years old. Yelloweye rockfish are among the longest lived of rockfish and can live up to 150 years!

IUCN Status

Not Evaluated

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Rockfish species are an important part of the food web. Yelloweye rockfish are prey for many species, including other finfish, seabirds, and marine mammals. Larval and juvenile rockfish are also a food source for juvenile salmon.

Yelloweye rockfish are prohibited in recreational fisheries and most commercial fisheries. Yelloweye rockfish were once part of the recreational and commercial groundfish fishery in Puget Sound. Due to the life history of yelloweye rockfish, recovery from threats such as past overfishing and continued bycatch will take many years. The Puget Sound/Georgia Basin distinct population segment of yelloweye rockfish in Washington State is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

From the Aleutian Islands, Alaska to Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.

Yelloweye rockfish are found along the Oregon Coast in deep, rocky habitats.

Like other rockfish, this species has venomous fin spines they use to deter predators.

Citations & Other Resources

NOAA Fisheries. N.d. Yelloweye Rockfish. Species Directory. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/yelloweye-rockfish/overview
Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. N.d. Yelloweye Rockfish. https://myodfw.com/fishing/species/yelloweye-rockfish
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. N.d. Yelloweye Rockfish. Marine Species Portal. https://marinespecies.wildlife.ca.gov/yelloweye-rockfish/false/
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. N.d. Yelloweye Rockfish (Pudget Sound/Georgia Basin DPS) (Sebastes ruberrimus). https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/sebastes-ruberrimus#desc-range
Monterey Bay Aquarium. N.d. Rockfish. https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/rockfish#:~:text=Cool%20facts,must%20handle%20them%20with%20care.

Yelloweye Rockfish

Yelloweye Rockfish

At the Aquarium

Appearance

Habitat

Diet

Life History

IUCN Status

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Citations & Other Resources

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