Science Name: | Sebastes entomelas |
Other Names: | widow, widowfish, red snapper |
World Record: | 21 inches |
Environment: | Deep Rocky Environment |
Maximum length: 23 in (59 cm)
Peritoneum color: dark
Maximum depth: 205 fm (375 m)
Shape between eyes: convex
Common depth: 55-192 fm (100-350 m
Widow rockfish occur from Todos Santos Bay, Baja California, to Kodiak Island, Alaska.
Adult widow rockfish feed extensively on small free floating crab-like animals. Occasionally salps, small squids and anchovies are eaten. A few mature when 12 inches long and 3 years old. Fifty percent are mature when 12.75 inches long or 4 years old. Widow rockfish may live to be 16 years old. As with other rockfish fertilization is internal and the young are born live. The number of developing eggs increases from 55,000 in fish 12.75 inches long, to about 900,000 in a fish 20 inches long.
Widow rockfish are generally caught by sport anglers fishing on or just above the bottom in deep water up to 1,200 feet, although young fish may be taken at or near the surface. On occasion, widow rockfish form huge schools in midwater where they feed on small plants. At such times, they are vulnerable to recreational anglers as well as commercial trawling gear and are often taken in great quantities.