Bocaccio rockfish (Sebastes paucispinis) is a saltwater species recorded in the United States. It is found at depths of 0–478 m.
Scientific name: Sebastes paucispinis · Water: Saltwater
Size: up to 91 cm
Weight: up to 12.7 kg
The bocaccio rockfish (Sebastes paucispinis), also known simply as bocaccio, is one of the larger Sebastinae rockfish of the northeast Pacific, found from Stepovak Bay, Alaska, to central Baja California but most abundant from Oregon to northern Baja California, and growing up to 0.91 m, 12.7 kg and at least 50 years of age. It has been recorded from the surface down to 478 m, though most fish live between about 46 and 305 m, with juveniles sheltering in shallow kelp forests, under floating kelp mats and around oil platforms before moving into deeper, colder water as they age. Adults feed mainly on fish and shellfish such as pelagic shrimp and crabs, and the species is viviparous: in southern California spawning occurs almost all year and in two or more batches, while in central and northern California it runs from January to May. In the United States it is a major boat rockfish for anglers from California to Washington and was historically important to both commercial and sport fisheries, having been heavily overfished, so seasons and depth limits are tightly regulated.
Caution: has venomous spines. Take great care when unhooking and handling; the sting is extremely painful.
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