Species profile
Cowcod
Sebastes levis
Identify Cowcod (Sebastes levis) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Cowcod (Sebastes levis) is a bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 10 research-grade iNaturalist observations, concentrated in California.
Notable details
- One of the largest Pacific rockfish, reaching over 90 cm (3 feet) and 14 kg (30 lbs).
- Can live more than 55 years, making it among the longest-lived Pacific rockfish.
- So severely overfished that targeted commercial and recreational fishing is banned in most of its range.
- Found at depths of 91–500 meters along the California coast.
- Females release tens of thousands of live larvae per spawning event.
Where Cowcod are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Cowcod
Background
Sebastes levis, the cowcod, is a member of the Sebastidae (rockfish) family. In Greek, Sebastes means "magnificent," and levis is Latin for "capricious" or "fantastic".
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Cowcod article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Cowcod?
Cowcod (Sebastes levis) is a bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Cowcod?
Cowcod is Sebastes levis.
Is Cowcod regulated for fishing?
Yes — Cowcod 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 Cowcod?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Cowcod 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.