Deacon Rockfish

At a glance

Deacon Rockfish (Sebastes diaconus) is a bony-fish species regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.

The strictest bag limit is 1 (Washington); the most generous is 3 (Washington).

Confirmed by 78 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Oregon, and British Columbia the top jurisdictions by observation count.

Notable details

• Only formally recognized as a distinct species in 2015, having long been lumped with blue rockfish.
• Named for the dark patch behind its head that resembles a deacon's collar.
• A schooling species most commonly encountered in kelp forests along the California and Oregon coasts.
• Feeds primarily on zooplankton, small crustaceans, and fish larvae.
• Typically inhabits shallower rocky reefs than many of its deeper-dwelling relatives.

Where Deacon Rockfish are seen

• California34 iNat obs
• Oregon19 iNat obs
• British Columbia12 iNat obs
• Washington9 iNat obs
• Alaska4 iNat obs

Jurisdictions with rules for Deacon Rockfish

• WashingtonUnited States · official source

Background

The Deacon Rockfish (Sebastes diaconus) is a marine ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Sebastinae, which is part of the family Scorpaenidae. Its body is compressed with large pectoral fins, prominent head ridges, well-developed spines, and large eyes, making it well-adapted for life along rocky substrates-from which its common name is derived.

Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Deacon Rockfish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.

Other bony fish on CatchRules

• BluegillLepomis macrochirus
• Brown TroutSalmo trutta
• Creek ChubSemotilus atromaculatus
• Brook TroutSalvelinus fontinalis