(Black rockfishes with strong head spines)

Quillback rockfish
(Sebastes maliger)

maliger2_small.jpg (27305 bytes) maliger_small.jpg (27206 bytes)
click image to enlarge

Body color:
Gray to brown mottled w/ yellow on anterior portion of body, and w/ orange-brown spotting on lower, anterior of body; fins dark, except anterior portion of spinous dorsal fin, which is splashed w/ yellow.
(Also see above underwater photo.)
Maximum length: 24 in (61 cm) Peritoneum color: light
Maximum depth: 150 fm (274 m) Shape between eyes: convex to concave
Common depth: 5-80 fm (9-147 m) Counts: D:XIII,12-14, Ar:6-7, P1:16-18, GR:29-33,
LLp:34-48, LLs:39-45, V:26

Similar species:

Brown RF - body brown w/ dark mottling; dorsal-fin membranes not deeply incised; head spine count typically differs.

Copper RF - posterior two-thirds of lateral line clear; dorsal-fin membranes not deeply incised; anal rays typically 6 (typically 7 in Quillback RF).

China RF - body black w/ yellow stripe along lateral line and across nape; dorsal-fin margin not deeply incised.

Distribution: Gulf of Alaska - Southern California

Return to species menus

Return to Rockfish Guide