Family: Scorpaenidae, Scorpionfishes view all from this family

Description To 30" (76 cm). Deep, fusiform, compressed; orange with gray blotches and bands along lateral line; pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins yellow-orange, fin edges not black; young have dark blotch on spiny dorsal fin. Snout moderately sharp; head convex between eyes; 6 pairs of head spines; lower jaw projects slightly, no knob at tip, underside of jaw smooth, unscaled. Dorsal fin continuous, deeply notched, spiny portion longer-based, with incised membranes. Rear edge of anal fin straight; caudal fin moderately forked.

Warning The dorsal and anal fins contain mildly venomous spines.

Similar Species Vermilion Rockfish (S. miniatus) has deep red dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins with edges usually black; underside of lower jaw rough, scaled.

Habitat Around deep reefs and over soft bottoms to depths of 150 fathoms.

Range From Cape San Bartoleme, Alaska, to Cabo Colnett, Baja California.

Discussion During winter months, the Canary Rockfish releases its young, which become part of the plankton community.