COMMON MARINE FISHES 



107 



Photo by J. B. Phillips 



TREEFISH 

 Sebasfodes serr'iceps 



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

 S. ruhriviucins and »S'. nigrochiriiis resemble it in having vertical bands of color. 



Distinguishing Characters: See page 94. The vertical black bands across the 

 body ; the narrow concave space between the eyes ; the strong, thick ridges and blunt 

 spines on top of head ; the lower jaw not projecting. Length to about 14 inches. Color: 

 Dark olive or blackish above shading to yellowish below ; six to seven black bands on the 

 sides, and two others running down and back from the eye ; tinged with red on front 

 and lower part of head. (In the Spanish flag, S. ruhrivinctus, the ground color is pink 

 or rosy and the broad vertical bars are crimson ; in 8. nigrocinctus, the ground color is 

 bright red and there are about five vertical black bars overlaid with red.) 



Distribution: Central California south into central Lower California. 



Fishing Season: Throughout the year. 



Importance: Of very minor significance. 



Fishing Gear: Lines, trawls. 



Unauthorized Names: Gopher, gopher rock cod. 



