E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Wildlife of British Columbia

Sebastes caurinus Richardson, 1844
Copper Rockfish
Family: Scorpaenidae
Introduction to the Fish
Photo of species

© Neil McDaniel  Email the photographer   (Photo ID #15972)
Source: Distribution of Sebastes caurinus as compiled by Aquamaps
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Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5 - 7; Vertebrae: 25 - 26. Head spines strong - nasal, preocular, postocular, tympanic and parietal spines present, supraocular, coronal and nuchal spines absent (Ref. 27437). Caudal fin rounded (Ref. 6885). Olive brown to copper with pink or yellow blotches, white on sides and belly; rear two thirds of lateral line is white; usually with two dark bands radiating from eye; dorsal fin dark copper brown to black with some white (Ref. 27436). Branchiostegal rays: 7 (Ref. 36715).

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Biology

Species Biology

Particularly abundant in shallow, protected bays and inlets, among rocks and kelp beds; also found around pilings and jetties or under floats (Ref. 27436). Juveniles found in loose aggregations in shallow weedy bays, around wharfs, or among floating drift associated with summer tidelines (Ref. 27436). Mainly a benthic feeder, may also take pelagic fishes (Ref. 27436). Viviparous, with planktonic larvae (Ref. 36715). Environment: demersal; marine; depth range 10 - 183 m (Ref. 2850). Climate: subtropical; 60°N -

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Distribution

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: Kenai Peninsula, Gulf of Alaska to central Baja California, Mexico. The darker reddish phase from California may be a separate species (Ref. 27437).

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeSNRNo StatusNot Listed
BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
 University of Alaska Museum

Additional Photo Sources

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General References

FishBase References
 Google Scholar Search
Recommended citation: Author, Date. Page title. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2021. E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Fauna of British Columbia [efauna.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [Accessed: 2025-06-21 12:46:09 PM]
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