widow rockfish
Sebastes entomelas
Rockfish that forms schools in midwater, near reefs and steep coasts of the North Pacific. It is sold fresh and frozen and is considered a sport fish.
Also called: garoupa-viúva, rocote viuda, widow rockfish
- maximum
- 60 cm
- depth
- 0–549 m
who is the widow rockfish
Rockfish of the family Sebastidae, genus Sebastes, living in midwater above rocky reefs and steep coasts, from 0 to 549 m. It reaches 60 cm. It is active and swims freely, but sometimes rests between caves and crevices. Juveniles stay in shallow water, and adults form schools and feed on small crustaceans and fish. It is viviparous. The species is considered a sport fish and is also sold in markets.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the widow rockfish; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- Individuals aged 60 have been recorded.
identification
Rockfish with a golden-brown to dark color, lighter on the underside. The fin membranes are dark, and the spiny dorsal fin membrane is paler. The anal fin slopes backward, the chin does not protrude, and the caudal fin is notched. Because it lives in schools in midwater, it differs from bottom-dwelling rockfish such as the copper rockfish and the brown rockfish, which live in shallow bays.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Lives in the northeastern Pacific, from the Gulf of Alaska to Todos Santos Bay, Baja California, Mexico. In Latin America, it occurs only in Mexico.
Habitat: Midwater, above rocky reefs and steep coasts, from 0 to 549 m, with juveniles in shallow water.
rules for the widow rockfish
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It is not venomous, but it has spines. As it lives at depth, it suffers barotrauma if reeled up quickly; release it carefully.
in the kitchen
The flesh can be fried, boiled or baked, and it is sold fresh and frozen.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01, b = 3.09; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa pelo gênero e formato do corpo)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Sebastes entomelas (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Sebastes entomelasNames by country and language.
