Sebastolobus altivelis Gilbert, 1896
Longspine thornyhead
Sebastolobus altivelis
photo by Archipelago Marine Research Ltd.

Family:  Sebastidae (Rockfishes, rockcods and thornyheads), subfamily: Sebastolobinae
Max. size:  39 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 45 years
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 201 - 1757 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Aleutian Islands, Alaska to southern Baja California, Mexico.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 15-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 4-6. Head spines very strong - nasal, preocular, supraocular, postocular, tympanic, parietal and nuchal spines present, coronal spines absent (Ref. 27437). Spiny ridge on sub-orbital bone; gill chamber mostly dark; third dorsal spine longest; slight notch on pectoral fin (Ref. 27437). Caudal fin slightly rounded (Ref. 6885). Red rockfish with some black on fins (Ref. 27437).
Biology:  Adults occur on soft bottom of offshore waters (Ref. 2850). Juveniles occur in midwater (Ref. 2850). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs are spawned in pelagic gelatinous masses (Ref. 59312).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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