Blue rockfish are found from northern Oregon to northern Baja California. Most live off the coast of central and southern California.
The life of a blue rockfish
Blue rockfish can grow up to 22 inches long, weigh nearly four pounds and live 20 to 40 years. Most fish lay eggs, but blue rockfish give birth to tiny live larval fish, which are about the size of an eyelash.
Blue rockfish can be found near the water’s surface in shallow, rocky areas, or as deep as 300 feet. They often move and hunt together in schools near reefs and kelp forests. They churn water in a circle and eat the prey caught in the middle. They eat algae, plankton, shrimp, squid, jellyfish, small fish and barnacle larvae.
Blue rockfish often stay near the same reef beds. Predators include other larger fish, seabirds and marine mammals.
Blue rockfish at the zoo
Located in the Steller Cove area.
