Species profile
Longspine Thornyhead
Sebastolobus altivelis
At a glance
Longspine Thornyhead (Sebastolobus altivelis) 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 (Alaska); the most generous is 20 (California).
Confirmed by 1 research-grade iNaturalist observations, concentrated in California.
Listed under SARA — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- Can live over 100 years, growing extremely slowly in near-freezing deep water.
- Found at depths of 300–1,700 meters — deeper than virtually any other commercially caught Pacific fish.
- Its elongated first dorsal spine gives it the 'longspine' name and a distinctive silhouette.
- Marketed as 'thornyhead' or 'idiotfish' and is a prized delicacy in Japanese cuisine.
- Venomous dorsal spines can cause intense localized pain if the fish is handled carelessly.
Where Longspine Thornyhead are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Longspine Thornyhead
Protected status
- SARA Schedule 1 (special concern): Longspine Thornyhead. Canadian populations — harm/harvest prohibited under SARA s.32-33.
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The longspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus altivelis) is a species of fish in the family Sebastidae. It is found in deep waters of the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Longspine thornyhead are similar in appearance to shortspine thornyhead though they don't grow as large and are typically found in deeper water. Both shortspine and longspine thornyhead have been harvested in commercial fisheries with the…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Longspine Thornyhead article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.