Family: Scorpaenidae, Scorpionfishes view all from this family

Description To 21 1/2" (55 cm). Deep, fusiform, compressed; olive-brown above with light orange-brown mottling, lighter below, dark brown spot on rear of opercle, pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fins pinkish. Snout moderately sharp; top of head flat between eyes; 6 pairs of head spines, including coronals. Dorsal fins continuous, deeply notched, spiny portion longer-based, with incised membranes; spines and rays about same length; caudal fin truncate.

Warning This fish should be handled with care because of its sharp head spines and mildly venomous dorsal and anal fin spines.

Similar Species Kelp Rockfish (S. atrovirens) lacks spot on rear edge of opercle; has no coronal spines; pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fin membranes not pinkish. Grass Rockfish (S. rastrelliger) lacks spot on rear edge of opercle; gill rakers on first arch short, blunt.

Habitat Shallow, low-profile reefs; occasionally over soft bottoms to 70 fathoms.

Range From Prince William Sound, Alaska, to Bahia Hipolito, Baja California.

Discussion Brown Rockfishes are born in the late spring, and after a short period during which they float with the plankton community, they settle to the bottom, usually in calm areas such as bays. Brown Rockfishes make up a minor portion of the sport and commercial rockfish catch.