Olive Rockfish, Johnny Bass, Bulera Bass
Rocote Falsa Cabrilla
(Sebastes serranoides)

Olive Rockfish, Sebastes serranoides: The Olive Rockfish is a drab, olive colored fish characterized by a series of white blotches on its back that often causes it to be confused with the Kelp or Calico Bass, Paralabrax clathratus (which has no spines on the rear of its cheeks).

The Olive Rockfish is a “bass-shaped” fish with an elongated and compressed body that has mottled shades of green-brown above the lateral line, with the aforementioned white blotches, and with a similar but paler coloration below. The fins are green-brown to dusky yellow. The upper head profile is straight with a long pointed snout, a projecting lower jaw, rather large mouth, and fleshy lips. The anal fins have nine soft rays, the caudal fin is slightly concave, and the lateral line is straight and prominent.

In addition to the Kelp Bass, the Olive Rockfish may be confused with the Yellowtail Rockfish, Sebastes flavidus (yellow lines running from eyes to bottom on gill cover, yellow-orange fins and red-brown specs on scales). Although the Olive Rockfish reaches a maximum length of 24 inches, it is more common between 10 and 20 inches, and between 1 and 2 pounds in weight.

This fish species is found in midsized schools in open or mid-water between 10 and 500 feet (but are move commonly between 20 and 120 feet) in the water column over rocky reefs adjacent to kelp beds.

Distribution in Mexico fishing areas

In Mexican fishing waters it is found only along the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula south to the San Benito Islands. The Olive Rockfish is a nocturnal predator feeding on small fishes (primarily juvenile rockfishes), octopuses, squid, copepods and crab larva. The females lay up to 500,000 eggs per annum.

The Olive Rockfish is viewed as excellent table fare. It is a commonly caught species for the recreational angler, but is not of commercial interest.

It is one of the more abundant members of the Scorpaenidae or Rockcod, Rockfish and Rosefish Family which includes the large genus Sebastes.

Olive Rockfish picture 1

Olive Rockfish, Sebastes serranoides: Caught during a fishing trip at Punta Banda, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, on a Luhr Jensen Stinger jig, about 100 feet deep, water temperature 64 degrees. Description and photo courtesy Gene Kira.

Olive Rockfish picture 2

Olive Rockfish, Sebastes serranoides: Photo courtesy Trout Traubman. Fish identification courtesy Dr. Milton Love, U.C. Santa Barbara.

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