Flag Rockfish, Sebastes rubrivinctus
Flag Rockfish, Sebastes rubrivinctus. Two fish provided by the commercial fishermen of the greater San Diego area, San Diego, California, August 2014. Length: 20 cm (7.9 inches) and 22 cm (8.7 inches) respectfully.
Flag Rockfish, Sebastes rubrivinctus. Fish caught from coastal waters off Marina Del Rey, California, May 2019. Length: 26 cm (10 inches). Catch, photograph and identification courtesy of Marc Eberlein, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Flag Rockfish, Sebastes rubrivinctus. Fish caught from coastal waters off Tijuana, Baja California, February, 2023.. Length: 29 cm (11 inches). Catch, identification and photograph courtesy of Luke Ovgard, Klamath Falls, Oregon.
The Flag Rockfish, Sebastes rubrivinctus, is a member of the Rockfish and Scorpionfish or Scorpaenidae Family, and is known in Mexico as rocote bandera. Globally, there are one hundred eight species in the genus Sebastes, of which fifty-three are found in Mexican waters, all in the Pacific Ocean.
The Flag Rockfish has a relatively narrow oblong-shaped body with a depth that is 31% to 35% of standard length. They are one of the most beautiful fish found on the West Coast. They have an overall white coloration with four orange-red bands on their body and two on their head, one extending down from their eyes and the other toward their upper jaw. The band at the front of their dorsal fin extends well into their gill cover. The background color transitions to off-white and the bands fade with the maturity of the fish. Their anal, caudal, and pelvic fins are red with white margins. Their heads are narrow with a pointed snout. Their anal fin has 3 spines, with the second being stout and longer than the third, and 6 to 8 rays; their caudal fin has a straight margin; their dorsal fin has 13 spines and 12 to 15 rays; and, their pectoral fins have 16 to 18 rays. They have 26 to 30 gill rakers. Their body is covered with scales.
The Flag Rockfish is found over boulders, high-relief rocks, and cobblestone bottoms at depths between 61 m (200 feet) and 201 (660 feet). They reach a maximum length of 44 cm (17 inches) in length with unconfirmed reports that fish measuring 51 cm (20 inches) exist. As of January 1, 2024, the International Game Fish Association world record stood at 2.35 kg (5 lbs 3 oz) with the fish caught in coastal waters off Anacapa Island, California, April 2023. They are generally found as solitary individuals but can be found mixed in with Canary Rockfish, Greenspotted Rockfish, Rosy Rockfish, Squarespot Rockfish, Starry Rockfish, and Vermilion Rockfish. They feed on fish, krill, octopus, and a variety of other small marine organisms. They have a lifespan of at least 38 years. The Flag Rockfish is is poorly studied with very limited information available about their lifestyle and behavioral patterns including specific details on age, growth, longevity, movement patterns, diet, habitat use, and reproduction.
The Flag Rockfish is a resident of Mexican waters of the Pacific but has a limited distribution being found only from Cedros Island, Baja California, northward along the central and northwest coast of Baja.
The Flag Rockfish can be easily confused with the Redbanded Rockfish, Sebastes babcocki (band from dorsal fin terminates at gill cover; deeper body; rounded snout; anal, dorsal, and pelvic fins with thin black margin).
From a conservation perspective the Flag Rockfish has not been formally evaluated. They are a minor component of the Southern California commercial fishery with most fish taken via gill nets and hook and line. A few Flag Rockfish are caught each year by recreational anglers as their brilliant colors make them a popular species. They are considered an excellent food fish.