Family: Scorpaenidae, Scorpionfishes view all from this family
Description The Bocaccio, Sebastes paucispinis is a member of the Sebastidae (rockfish) family. Other names for this species include salmon grouper, grouper, tom cod (juveniles), and slimy. In Greek, sebastes means "magnificent," and paucispinis is Latin for "few spines".
Bocaccio can be found from Stepovak Bay, Alaska to central Baja California, but is mostly abundant from Oregon to northern Baja California. They have been spotted from various depths from the surface to 1,568 feet (478 m); most live between 150-1,000 feet. Juveniles stay in shallower water because of the protection provided by floating kelp mats or driftwood. Shallow water kelp forests and oil platforms also help these fish avoid danger, as they can use them to dodge and hide from predators. As the fish get older, they to move into deeper, colder water. The Monterey submarine canyon is an ideal place for many marine organisms to inhabit or migrate through, and bocaccio in this canyon can consume multiple marine species such as shellfish (pelagic shrimp and crab), anchovies, sardines, other small rockfishes, and squid.
Dimensions Up to 3' (91 cm).
Warning The dorsal and anal fins contain mildly venomous spines.
Habitat Open ocean, Ocean or bay shallows, Estuaries, tidal flats & salt marshes.
Range California, Northwest, Western Canada, Alaska.