|
|
|
The Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus), or POP, can grow up to 21.1 in. (53 cm) and reach 4.5 lb. (2.05 kg) in weight. Its Greek name alutus means "unwashed" or "speckled", possibly referring to their light saddles. As the POP sexually mature they become deeper red in color with olive green, brown, or black patches on the upper body. Those living in deeper water are usually darker red. The subadults found closer to the surface have a more elongated body with olive green shading on their upper body. Often the skin of adult the POP will have black patches. The juveniles look similar to adults, though they are white-silver below the lateral line with upper areas of pale red. Juveniles are also more elongated, lack much color on their fin membranes, and lack the typical adult saddles or mottling. Little is known of the very young since post-larval juveniles prior to age 1.5 years have not been observed. When out of water, the POP look much like the yellowmouth, sharpchin, and redstripe rockfishes.
The Pacific ocean perch may have been distributed as far south as
central Baja California, but they are commonly found from northern
California to the Aleutian Islands and the Gulf of Alaska where
they are the most abundant of the rockfishes. Their range also extends
from Alaska to Honshu, Japan. As they age, the POP move to deeper water.
Depending on the season and sex, the adult POP normally live at depths
between 297 ft. and 2,723 ft. (90-825 m), while the juveniles are found
in inshore waters as shallow as 122 ft. (37 m). The POP feed in the water
column. Copepods are the juveniles' primary diet, while the adults
consume mainly krill, mysids, amphipods, and midwater fishes. The
POP are eaten by northern fur seals. The pelagic juveniles are prey to
albacore.
|
||
|
||
|