Treefish (Sebastes serriceps) is a saltwater species recorded in the United States. It is mainly found over reef, rocky, seagrass, at depths of 5–90 m.
Scientific name: Sebastes serriceps · Water: Saltwater
Size: up to 41 cm
The treefish (Sebastes serriceps) is a robust, oblong-bodied Sebastinae rockfish whose body depth is 36% to 40% of its standard length, and whose most distinctive feature is the bright red lips of the adults. It is found in the eastern Pacific along the west coast of North America from Guerrero Negro in Baja California north to San Francisco, California, as a demersal species with a depth range of 5 to 90 m that occupies both exposed and sheltered rock areas and kelp forests. It is a nocturnal ambush predator feeding on benthic invertebrates and smaller fishes, and like other Sebastes rockfish it is ovoviviparous, with females releasing larvae from March to July and juveniles sheltering among mats of floating kelp before settling on the substrate between June and October. It is an important species to the nearshore recreational fishery in southern California, taken from boats and shore on squid or fish baits fished close to rocky structure, and it attains a maximum total length of 41 cm.
Caution: has venomous spines. Take great care when unhooking and handling; the sting is extremely painful.
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