Species profile
Pygmy Rockfish
Sebastes wilsoni
Identify Pygmy Rockfish (Sebastes wilsoni) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Pygmy Rockfish (Sebastes wilsoni) is a bony-fish species regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Confirmed by 1 research-grade iNaturalist observations, concentrated in California.
Notable details
- One of the smallest rockfish species, rarely exceeding 7 inches in length.
- Ranges from Alaska to Baja California along the Pacific coast.
- Lives in kelp beds and rocky reefs at depths up to 300 meters.
- Like all rockfish, females give birth to live larvae rather than laying eggs.
- Despite its tiny size, it can live for several decades.
Where Pygmy Rockfish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Pygmy Rockfish
Background
The pygmy rockfish (Sebastes wilsoni) is a rockfish of the genus Sebastes. It is one of the smallest fish of its genus. It is reported to grow to a maximum of 23 cm (9 in) and can live up to 26 years. The rockfish lives between 30 m (98 ft) and 274 m (899 ft) of depth, and its range is in the East Pacific, for the Gulf of Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. It is colored red, which is distinctly…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Pygmy Rockfish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Pygmy Rockfish?
Pygmy Rockfish (Sebastes wilsoni) is a bony-fish species regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Pygmy Rockfish?
Pygmy Rockfish is Sebastes wilsoni.
Is Pygmy Rockfish regulated for fishing?
Yes — Pygmy Rockfish 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 Pygmy Rockfish?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Pygmy Rockfish 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.