Species profile
Shortspine Thornyhead
Sebastolobus alascanus
At a glance
Shortspine Thornyhead (Sebastolobus alascanus) is an IUCN Endangered 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 10 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Alaska, California, and British Columbia the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Found at extraordinary depths, from 200 to over 1,500 meters.
- Brilliant red coloration helps it blend into deep-sea coral and rocky substrate.
- Long-lived, with lifespans estimated to exceed 100 years.
- Reaches about 28 inches (70 cm) but grows extremely slowly.
- Prized for its rich, white flesh in seafood markets from Alaska to Japan.
Where Shortspine Thornyhead are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Shortspine Thornyhead
Background
The shortspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus alascanus) is a species of fish in the Sebastidae family. It is sometimes referred to as the "idiot fish" or "idiot cod" due to its large oversize head/eyes. It is found in Canada, Russia, and the United States. Adult S. alascanus live predominantly in the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ), and thus require specific adaptations/exaptations in order to overcome the…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Shortspine 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.