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

Sebastes nigrocinctus Ayres, 1859
Tiger Rockfish
Family: Scorpaenidae

Source: Distribution of Sebastes nigrocinctus as compiled by Aquamaps

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Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6 - 7. Head spines strong - nasal, preocular, supraocular, postocular, tympanic, coronal, parietal and nuchal spines present (Ref. 27437). Strongly concave between eyes; parietal ridges very thick and coarse (Ref. 27437). Caudal fin rounded (Ref. 6885). Light pink to red with 5 or 6 black or dark red bars on body; 2 dark bars radiating from each eye (Ref. 27437).

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

Biology

Species Biology

Inhabit rocky reefs, mainly at depths greater than 10 m (Ref. 27436). Solitary and territorial, defending a home crevice among rocks (Ref. 2850). Juveniles pelagic (Ref. 27436). Viviparous (Ref. 34817). Quickly changes color when disturbed or when there is a change in lighting (Ref. 6885). Environment: reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 275 m (Ref. 27436). Climate: temperate; - 35°N

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

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: Cape Resurrection, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska to Point Buchon, central California, USA.

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

Status Information

Origin Status	Provincial Status	BC List (Red Blue List)	COSEWIC
Native	SNR	No Status	Not Listed

BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Taxonomic and Nomenclatural Links

Genetic and lineage information (NCBI Taxonomy Browser)

Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
University of Alaska Museum

Additional Photo Sources

Flickr Image Search
Google Image Search
Images from Calphoto

Related Databases

fishbase

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: 2025-06-23 11:46:19 AM]

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