Sebastes variegatus Quast, 1971
Harlequin rockfish
photo by Archipelago Marine Research Ltd.

Family:  Sebastidae (Rockfishes, rockcods and thornyheads), subfamily: Sebastinae
Max. size:  38 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 47 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 70 - 558 m
Distribution:  Northeast Pacific: Bowers Bank and Petrel Bank in the Aleutian chain to Newport, Oregon, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-7; Vertebrae: 26. Head spines strong to moderate - nasal, preocular, postocular, tympanic and parietal spines present, nuchals usually absent, supraocular and coronal spines absent (Ref. 27437). Weak symphyseal knob; 2nd anal fin spine longer than 3rd (Ref. 27437). Caudal fin moderately indented (Ref. 6885). Pink to red with irregular dark markings interrupted by lighter band along two thirds of lateral line; caudal fin with dark membranes and pink or red band terminating fin; anal fin has black between 2nd and 3rd spines; tip of spinous dorsal black (Ref. 27437).
Biology:  Viviparous (Ref. 34817). Too small to be of high commercial value (Ref. 27437).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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