The COTM for December was the California sea cucumber. One person commented that he saw some. The COTM for January is the Copper rockfish. A relatively common medium sized (10-16” with max of 22”) rockfish of the Pacific coast (Gulf of Alaska to southern California) including Puget Sound.
They have a white to beige belly and background color with dark brown or copper colored blotches. Their fins are light colored. They have a wide white lateral line mark that starts halfway back and goes to tail (which you can think of as a copper pipe as an ID clue). They usually have the dark bandings coming from the eye downwards (think of it as eye make-up).
Since they have swim bladders, like all rockfish, they can hang in the water column. However adult Copper Rockfish are often found close to the bottom. They are almost always associated in and around rocks or artificial reefs, and almost never on sand. Copper Rockfish typically do not travel more than a mile from their chosen location. They are often solitary or in small groups.
When you see one, comment to this post with dive site, depth and date. No photo required.
You must be logged in to post a comment.