Species profile
California Sheephead
Bodianus pulcher
Identify California Sheephead (Bodianus pulcher) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
California Sheephead (Bodianus pulcher) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 1,337 research-grade iNaturalist observations, concentrated in California.
Notable details
- Can live up to 50 years, one of the longest-lived wrasses in Pacific kelp forests.
- Every individual is born female; larger fish eventually transition into males.
- Males develop a striking pattern: black head and tail, red mid-body, and a white chin patch.
- Stout jaws can crush sea urchins whole, helping maintain healthy kelp forest ecosystems.
- Found in kelp beds from Monterey Bay, California, south through Baja California, Mexico.
Where California Sheephead are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for California Sheephead
Background
The California sheephead (Bodianus (formerly Semicossyphus) pulcher) is a species of wrasse native to the eastern Pacific Ocean. Its range is from Monterey Bay, California, to the Gulf of California, Mexico. It can live for up to 20 years in favorable conditions and can reach a size of up to 91 cm (3 ft) and a weight of 16 kg (35 lb). It is carnivorous, living in rocky reef and kelp bed habitats,…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's California Sheephead article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is California Sheephead?
California Sheephead (Bodianus pulcher) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for California Sheephead?
California Sheephead is Bodianus pulcher.
Is California Sheephead regulated for fishing?
Yes — California Sheephead has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify California Sheephead?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes California Sheephead along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.