Rougheye Rockfish Habitat

The rougheye rockfish may be one of the longest living fish, with scientists dating one specimen as 205 years old. Commercial fishing techniques, combined with choice of habitat and a low reproduction rate pose a threat to the rougheye rockfish.

  1. Range

    • The rougheye rockfish inhabit salt water from the Bering sea to Japan and the Kamchatka Peninsula, and from the Aleutian Islands to the Bering Sea.

    Depth

    • Rougheye rockfish can most commonly be found at depths between 83 and 2,416 feet, but have been located at depths of 9,339 feet according to the Alaska Fisheries Science Center.

    Terrain

    • The fish inhabit areas of the sea floor that are boulder-strewn, usually preferring a gradient of 20 degrees or more. It associates with commercially harvested fish, such as dover sole, arrowtooth flounder and sablefish. Fisheries and Oceans Canada theorizes the habitat may be chosen by the fish to break up currents, mark territory and find prey.