Sebastes melanostomus (Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1890)
Blackgill rockfish
Sebastes melanostomus
photo by Love, M.

Family:  Sebastidae (Rockfishes, rockcods and thornyheads), subfamily: Sebastinae
Max. size:  70 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 3,530.0 g; max. reported age: 90 years
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 124 - 769 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Washington, USA to central Baja California, Mexico.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-15; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-8; Vertebrae: 26-26. Head spines strong - nasal, preocular, supraocular, postocular, tympanic, parietal and nuchal spines present, coronals absent (Ref. 27437). Body dark red, skin above upper jaw, inside of mouth and rear edge of gill cover black (Ref. 27437). Branchiostegal rays: 7 (Ref. 36715).
Biology:  Found on soft bottom in deep water, but young in shallower areas (Ref. 2850). Juveniles are pelagic (Ref. 36715). Viviparous, with planktonic larvae (Ref. 36715).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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