Sebastes maliger (Jordan & Gilbert, 1880)
Quillback rockfish
Sebastes maliger
photo by Wirtz, P.

Family:  Sebastidae (Rockfishes, rockcods and thornyheads), subfamily: Sebastinae
Max. size:  61 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 3,280.0 g; max. reported age: 90 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 274 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: From Shumagin Islands, Prince William Sound and Gulf of Alaska to San Miguel Island, southern California, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-7. Head spines strong - nasal, preocular, postocular, tympanic and parietal spines present, supraocular, coronal and nuchal spines absent (Ref. 27437). Spinous dorsal with deeply incised membranes (Ref. 27437). Caudal fin rounded (Ref. 6885). Body mottled brown, distinct yellow areas above (including part of spinous dorsal), orange-brown spotting on lower anterior area (Ref. 27437).
Biology:  Inhabit rocky bottoms and reefs, usually solitary on the bottom or hovering just above the bottom, but never far from cover (Ref. 27436, 27437). Viviparous (Ref. 34817). Marketed as fillets (Ref. 27436).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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