Sebastes caurinus
copper rockfish

Copper rockfish are found in waters along the Pacific coast ranging from Baja, California up to Kehui, Alaska. They are common in the waters of British Columbia and in Puget Sound. (Albin, Karpov, and Van Buskirk, 1995)

Copper rockfish are demersal, preferring the ocean bottom near low-profile rocks and reefs. The range of water depths they inhabit is relatively broad, from 10 to 183 meters, and the fish are found in shallower water during upwelling. Most often, these fish are in close contact with reefs, maintaining an even closer contact during the winter and spring than in the summer months. Tagging experiments have suggested that mature fish do not move far from their home location. ("Species profiles: life histories et al., 1989; Boschung and Jr., 1983)

Their overall color is variable but a copper-brown color with darker fins is generally observed. Patches of yellow or copper are also present, usually near the gill coverings. They are distinguished from other rockfish species by the clear areas along the posterior two thirds of the lateral lines, and in having a whitish underside. They have 13 dorsal and 3 anal spines that are mildly venomous. (Boschung and Jr., 1983; Froese, 2004)

Copper rockfish are live-bearers and in California waters, the larvae are released in the spring when they are 5-6 mm in length. Generally among rockfish, the larvae drift in offshore waters and survive in the upper 80 m of the water column for 1-2 months before they transform into juveniles. Because of identification problems with other species of rockfish, the distribution of copper rockfish larvae and juveniles are often debated. In central California, these juveniles are closely associated with the surface and mid-depth kelp beds and do not become benthic until they have reached 40-50 mm. ("Species profiles: life histories et al., 1989)

Growth rates are fastest in fish less than 3 years old and are highest in the summer months, coinciding with high feeding rates and upwelling. Sexual maturity has been shown to vary slightly between different regions along the Pacific coast. Off central California, males become sexually mature between the ages of 3 and 7 years. Females are fully mature by 8 years. These fish often reach 20 years of age. ("Species profiles: life histories et al., 1989; Coad, 1995)

Copper rockfish can live to be decades old and take several years to become sexually mature. Once mature, females generally produce a higher number of eggs each year. These traits are important for the survival of the species since a relatively low percentage of young survive each year. Few if any efforts have been made to breed copper rockfish in captivity. (Coad, 1995; Froese, 2004)

Adult copper rockfish are highly residential and remain near their home site. Although they are a solitary species and usually seen alone, they are sometimes present in mixed aggregates with other species. Individual fish display agnostic behavior to show "protective territoriality". ("Species profiles: life histories et al., 1989; Johnson, Murphy, and Csepp, 2003)

Home Range

Sebastes caurinus inhabit the pacific ocean coast from Baja, Californis to Kehui, Alaska and usually do not swim more than a mile from their home. ()

No information was available on communication in this species.

Copper rockfish are opportunistic carnivores that feed mainly on organisms present near the ocean floor, usually crabs, mollusks and other fish. They feed during the day as well as at night. Often the prey varies with the season with crabs eaten more often in winter and early spring. Large copper rockfish tend to be aggressive feeders and sometimes prey on Squalus acanthias, a small shark species. ("Species profiles: life histories et al., 1989)

Juvenile rockfish that reside in kelp beds are often eaten by many fishes and other marine animals. Adults are eaten by lingcod Ophiodon elongatus and also other large predators. ("Species profiles: life histories et al., 1989)

At all life stages, copper rockfish are eaten by other fish. They also eat different types of fish and marine invertebrates. ("Species profiles: life histories et al., 1989)

Copper rockfish have no known negative impacts on humans.

The copper rockfish, as well as other rockfish species that live in the California coastal waters, are very important to commercial and sport fisheries. The 60 species of rockfish caught account for 34% by weight of all sportfish landed in California. ("Species profiles: life histories et al., 1989)

Copper rockfish are not yet theatened, however other rockfish species are endangered. Rockfish are a valuable game fish and it is important for precautions to be implemented to prevent overfishing. This is especially important with rockfish populations since the fish have long lifespans with their reproductive capacity increasing as they age.