FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kelp Rockfish is a fish species endemic to North America, and its Pacific waters. This fish is commonly found in waters off the coast of California in the USA, up to Baja California in Mexico, mainly the North and Central Baja California coast. Kelp Rockfish derive their name from the algal kelp forests found in the ocean. All throughout the day, the Kelp Rockfish lies motionless and upside-down along the lengths of the blades of kelps. They hunt at night and also prefer rocky seabeds as suitable habitats, apart from kelp forests. These fish are typically 9-17 in (20-43 cm) long and are characterized by the presence of spikes and rays on their fins. They are usually dark brown-colored and feed on mostly crustaceans and small fish. They are an important part of their ecosystems because, at different stages of their lives, they are preyed upon by different creatures. Their conservation status under IUCN is 'Not Evaluated'.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other animals including the Rockfish or the brain coral here.
The Kelp Rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens) is a fish.
Kelp Rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens) belongs to the ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii) class of animals.
Since their populations have not been evaluated, the number of Kelp rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens) in the world is unknown.
The Kelp Rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens) species lives in the shallow waters of the ocean, at a depth of usually 40 feet (12 m), also going up to 82 feet (270 m).
The Kelp Rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens) species are found in the Pacific Ocean in waters off the coast of California to South and Central Baja California in Mexico. It is a shallow water fish and it favors subtropical waters, not migrating much. True to its name, this fish inhabits kelp forests, all the way from the top to the bottom. It is also seen living near rocky seabeds.
Kelp Rockfishes (Sebastes atrovirens) are found alone or within small aggregations.
A Kelp Rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens) may live anywhere between 15-25 years.
Kelp Rockfishes (Sebastes atrovirens) reproduce by spawning, usually in the months of February to May. A female Kelp Rockfish is capable of storing sperm from several males. The female lays broods of eggs at night, laying as many as 10,000-340,000 eggs a year.
The Conservation Status of the Kelp Rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens) species, according to the IUCN is 'Not Evaluated'.
Kelp Rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens) have bodies that are thin and oval. These fishes are known to exist in a variety of colors such as brown, yellow, red, and white. An adult Kelp Rockfish's body is characterized by the dark flecks that cover it. the adults do not have vertical bars, but the juveniles do. Adults instead have vertical columns that are faint. And juvenile fishes may possess five vertical bars. The backgrounds of these bars are white, brown, or clear. The gill covers of adults are dark. Kelp Rockfish tend to have big eyes and a sharp snout. The mouths of Kelp rockfish are mid-sized and terminal. They have many large spines and 28-36 gill rakers. The anal, dorsal, and pelvic fins of the Kelp Rockfish possess spines and rays. There are three spines on the anal fin and 13 on the dorsal fin. The pectoral fin has 1618 rays, the dorsal fin has 12-15, and the anal fin has 6-8.
Kelp Rockfish are not particularly cute animals. The colors that adorn their bodies are not very flattering. Their bodies are spiny and have numerous rays. The bodies of these fishes are also riddled with dark flecks.
Kelp Rockfish communicate via gestures, motions, and sounds. Kelpfish rockfish can produce rumbles and growls.
A Kelp Rockfish is typically 9-17 in (20-43 cm) long, which makes it 4-7 times bigger than a Mickey Mouse Platy.
A Kelp Rockfish may swim as fast as about 25-30 mph (40-50 kph).
A Kelp Rockfish may weigh up to 2 lb (0.91 kg).
The males and females of the Kelp Rockfish do not have specific names.
Much like other fishes, a baby Kelp Rockfish is called different names before reaching adulthood. These include larva, fry, juvenile, and fingerlings.
Kelp Rockfish eat crustaceans, small fish, squid, night smelt, and cephalopods.
Kelp Rockfish have spines on their dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins which are venomous. The venom isn't fatal or toxic but causes pain.
Kelp Rockfish may not make a good pet since they favor their habitat of Kelp Forests. But a well-equipped aquarium capable of providing such a habitat would be adequate. Also, Kelp Rockfish is an important part of its ecosystem, since, at different stages of its life, it is used as prey by many different animals such as lingcod, salmon, cabezon, birds, porpoises, pinnipeds, and mainly by sharks, seals, and dolphins.
Apart from kelp beds, the Kelp Rockfish may also prefer rocky seabeds.
The natural Kelp Rockfish camouflage, wherein it blends in rocky beds in the ocean comes in handy while hiding from predators. A typical Kelp Rockfish predator is a much larger fish, like sharks, seals, dolphins.
Kelp Rockfish has been observed at a depth of 153.18 feet (46 meters). It is favored by leisurely fishing enthusiasts since its usual depth is only about 40 feet (12 meters). Apart from recreational fishing, the Kelp Rockfish is not considered for commercial fishing. Spear-fishing near the coast is a common method used for catching Kelp Rockfish.
In Mexico, the Kelp Rockfish is referred to by the name 'rocote sargacero'.
The most distinguishing feature among Kelp and Brown Rockfishes is that the Brown Rockfish has a prominent dark spot on the gill cover that the Kelp Rockfish does not possess.
Brown Rockfish may become as long as 22 inches, whereas Kelp Rockfish may only reach up to 17 inches.
Kelp Rockfish live for a maximum of 25 years whereas Brown Rockfish live up to 30 years.
Another point of difference is the number of gill rakers each fish possesses. The Brown Rock-fish possesses 21-30 gill rakers, while the Kelp Rockfish possesses 28-36 gill rakers.
For a Kelp Rockfish, kelp forest is the ideal habitat, whereas, for Brown Rock-fish, the sea bottom and rocky terrain are ideal.
Kelp Rockfish have been named so because they are known to kelp beds in the ocean. They not only inhabit the smaller kelp beds but the entire length of the blades. They feed at night, so during the day, they lie motionless, floating, sometimes downside-up in the kelp forests.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other fish including milkfish, or codfish.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Kelp rockfish coloring pages.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebastes_atrovirens
https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Sebastes-atrovirens.html
https://oehha.ca.gov/fish/species/kelp-rockfish
https://mexican-fish.com/kelp-rockfish/
https://sanctuarysimon.org/dbtools/species-database/id/208/sebastes/atrovirens/kelp-rockfish
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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