COMMON MARINE FISHES 



97 



Figure 68 Photn by J. B. Phillips 



YELLOWTAIL ROCKFISH 

 Sebastodes flavidus 



Relationship: A member of the rockfish family, Scorpaenidae. Another species, 

 S. serranoides, resembles it very closely. It is less common and is associated more 

 with kelp. 



Distinguishing Characters: See page 94. The convex space between the 

 eyes ; the absence of spines on top of the head ; the projecting lower jaw ; the anal fin 

 with eight (rarely seven) soft rays (aS'. serranoides has nine, rarely eight, soft rays) ; 

 the white peritoneum. Reaches a length of about two feet. Color: Grayish-brown 

 above shading to white below ; sides finely spotted with yellow. Somewhat inconspicu- 

 ous light blotchings on back. Caudal fin yellow, other fins dusky-yellow. Young speci- 

 mens have a black blotch on spinous dorsal membrane between eighth and twelfth 

 spines (S. serranoides is blackish-olive on head and back with dark specks on body 

 less conspicuous ; light blotches along dorsal base more conspicuous and the caudal 

 fin dark olive-yellow). 



Distribution: Vancouver Island south into Lower California. 



Fishing Season: Throughout the year. 



Importance: Forms a fair proportion of the rockfish catch of the State. One 

 of the six or seven leading species. ;S'. serranoides is not as important. 



Fishing Gear: Trawls, lines. 



Unauthorized Names: Yellowtail rock cv], gialota. 



