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(Black rockfishes with weak head spines) |
Blue rockfish |
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Body color: Bluish-black w/ darker mottling on back, paler color on sides, and grayish ventrally; fins dark. (Also see above underwater photo.) |
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| Maximum length: 21 in (53 cm) | Peritoneum color: light or dark |
| Maximum depth: 300 fm (549 m) | Shape between eyes: convex |
| Common depth: 33-167 fm (60-300 m) | Counts:
D:XIII,15-17, Ar:8-10, P1:17-19, GR:32-38, LLp:47-53, LLs:50-56, V:26-27 |
Black RF - anal-fin margin rounded w/ slight anterior slant; mouth larger, maxilla extends beyond midorbit; eye larger; head spine count differs; anal rays typically 7-8 (typically 9 in Blue RF); dorsal rays typically 15 (typically 16 in Blue RF).
Dusky RF - body gray or greenish brown in Light Dusky RF,uniform dark blue in Dark Dusky RF; head spines typically absent; mouth larger, maxilla extends beyond midorbit; eye larger; anal rays typically 7-8 (typically 9 in Blue RF); dorsal rays typically 15 (typically 16 in Blue RF).
Yellowtail RF and Olive RF - body dark olive; mouth larger, maxilla extends beyond midorbit; eye larger; head spine count differs.
Widow RF - anal-fin margin w/ strong posterior slant; head spine count typically differs; body dusky brown.
Distribution: Gulf of Alaska - Baja California