Copper Rockfish

on July 9, 2010

Design

Copper Rockfish

The copper rockfish is viviparous—the female gives live birth rather than laying eggs, and it may nourish the larvae in the ovary. Unlike the salmon, which dies soon after spawning, the copper rockfish can live to reproduce year after year. Certainly, the Creator has designed this creature to reproduce abundantly.

Features

  • The color of this creature varies, but the most common color is brownish.
  • Its fins are darker, and patches of yellow or copper are sometimes seen near its gill coverings.
  • The copper rockfish also has a whitish underside.
  • This fish can live to be more than 50 years old.

Fun Facts

  • At one time, this species was thought to be two separate species: Sebastes caurinus and S. vexillaris.
  • The copper rockfish is sometimes called a chucklehead.
  • The meat of this fish is tasty, firm, and flaky. It is excellent for fish and chips.

CLASS: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
ORDER: Scorpaeniformes (scorpion fishes and sculpins)
FAMILY: Scorpaenidae (firefishes, goblinfishes, rockfishes, and scorpionfishes)
GENUS/SPECIES: Sebastes caurinus

Size: Up to 22 in (56 cm)
Weight: Up to 6 lbs (2.7 kg)
Diet: Crustaceans, squid, octopuses, smaller fish
Habitat: Prefer the bottoms of the Pacific coast, from Baja, California up to Alaska; common near British Columbia and the Puget Sound

Aquarium Guide

With fun facts about more than 100 animals, this long-awaited Aquarium Guide includes beautiful pictures and reveals the incredible facts and design features that point to our amazing Creator. This handy size guide is excellent for school field trips and family trips to your favorite aquarium!

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