Science Name: | Sebastes melanops |
Other Names: | black snapper, black bass, gray rockfish, red snapper. |
World Record: | 23.75 inches; 10.5 pounds |
Environment: | Shallow Rocky Environment |
Black rockfish occur from Paradise Cove, California, to Amchitka Island, Alaska. They are wide-ranging fish that can live on the surface or on the bottom to 1,200 feet near rocky reefs or in open water over deep banks or drop-offs.
The diet of the black rockfish includes squid, crab eggs, and fishes. Black rockfish are ovoviviparous, like all members of this family fertilization and development of the embryo take place in the body of the mother. When embryonic development is complete, the female releases the eggs and the exposure to sea water activates the embryo and it escapes from the egg case.
These fish are commonly caught from commercial passenger fishing vessels and when trolling for salmon. Use similar fishing techniques as for blue rockfish.