The yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) is one of the most striking and long-lived fish in the cold waters of Alaska. Instantly recognizable by its brilliant orange-yellow or red color and its bright yellow eyes, it is a prized species that resides in deep, rocky reef habitats along the North Pacific rim.
An Extraordinary Lifespan
Yelloweye rockfish are among the longest-lived fish in the world, capable of reaching ages of up to 120 years! They grow extremely slowly and do not reach breeding maturity until they are 15 to 20 years old.
Because they grow and reproduce so slowly, their populations are highly vulnerable to overfishing. If a yelloweye is caught from deep water, the pressure change causes barotrauma (expansion of gases in their bodies), making catch-and-release survival extremely difficult without specialized descending devices.
Reef Dwellers and Diet
Yelloweye rockfish are territorial and solitary. They spend most of their lives associated with complex rocky habitats, boulder fields, and deep crevices. As adults, they rarely travel far from their home reefs.
They are aggressive, opportunistic predators. Their diet consists of:
- Crabs and shrimp found in reef cracks
- Herring and sand lance
- Other smaller rockfishes and marine invertebrates
Conservation and Public Education
In many regions of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, yelloweye rockfish are considered a species of concern or vulnerable due to historical overfishing.
At the Alaska SeaLife Center, these spectacular orange fish reside in our deep-water habitats, serving as visual highlights and educational ambassadors. Visitors learn about the importance of sustainable fisheries management, the deep-sea ecosystems of the Gulf of Alaska, and the critical role rockfishes play in maintaining reef health.