Brown rockfish

Biology

The brown rockfish is a sedentary fish that lives either alone or in small groups. It feeds mainly at night, using the day to rest, taking shelter amongst rocks, algae and floating objects. Juveniles inhabit shallow waters but during their development, they venture into deeper waters, reaching 120 metres in depth as adults. In its dorsal and pectoral fins it has venomous spines that inflict painful wounds.

Curiosities

This species is distinguished from other rockfish by a prominent dark patch near the operculum, which probably inspired its scientific name auriculatus, meaning “eared”.