Vermilion Rockfish

Description:

Also known as red snapper, and red rock cod. The body of the vermilion rockfish is moderately deep and compressed. The upper profile of the head is somewhat curved; the mouth is large, with the lower jaw slightly projecting. The color is bright red on the body and fins; many with black and gray mottling on back and sides. On fish shorter than 12 inches (30 cm) the mottling is much more apparent and the fins are often edged with black. The yellow eye and canary rockfishes are similar in appearance to the vermilion, but the bottom of their lower jaws is scaleless and feels smooth to the touch. The vermilion rockfish has scales on the bottom of the lower jaw which make it rough to the touch.

Habitat:

It is native to the waters of the Pacific Ocean off western North America from Baja California to Vancouver Island.

Notes:

Taken at the Vancouver Aquarium.