100 



DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME 



Photo by J. B. Phillips 



ORANGE ROCKFISH 

 Sebastodes pinniger 



Relationship: Belongs to the rockfish family, Scorpaenidae. Closely resembles 

 the vermilion rockfish (opposite page). 



Distinguishing Characters: See page 94. Chiefly orange in color ; scales on the 

 under side of the lower jaw smooth to the touch (in the vex-milion rockfish, which is 

 somewhat redder in color, the underside of the lower jaw is rough to the touch) ; the 

 pale peritoneum ; three pairs of low spines above the eye and one pair back of the eyes 

 on top of the head ; the slightly convex space between the eyes ; the lower jaw projecting 

 slightly and having a knob at the tip. Length to about 30 inches. Color: Olive gray 

 blotched with orange red or orange yellow above, becoming nearly white below ; an 

 occasional specimen may have an inky, black blotch anywhere on body ; three bright 

 orange stripes radiate from the eye ; fins generally bright orange. In young specimens 

 there is usually a black blotch on the membrane of the spiny dorsal between the seventh 

 and tenth spines ; lips and lining of mouth pale red with dusky or black mottling. 



Distribution: Northern Lower California to northern British Columbia. 



Fishing Season: Throughout the year. 



Importance: The most important species in the State in recent years. Dominates 

 the catch at Eureka, but is of lesser importance in Central California. 



Fishing Gear: Trawls, lines. 



Unauthorized Names: Red rock cod, eodalarga, filione. 



