Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

The Colorful, Even Psychedelic China Rockfish of Oregon Coast / Washington Coast

Published 06/09/22 at 6:45 PM PST
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

The Colorful, Even Psychedelic China Rockfish of Oregon Coast / Washington Coast

Latest Coastal Lodging News Alerts
In Seaside:
Includes exclusive listings; some specials in summer
In Cannon Beach:
Includes rentals not listed anywhere else
In Manzanita, Wheeler, Rockaway Beach:
Some specials for summer
In Pacific City, Oceanside:
Some specials for summer
In Lincoln City:
Some specials for summer
In Depoe Bay, Gleneden Beach:
Some specials for summer
In Newport:
Look for some specials
In Waldport
Some specials for summer
In Yachats, Florence
Some specials for summer
Southern Oregon Coast Hotels / Lodgings
Reedsport to Brookings, places to stay; summer deals

(Seaside, Oregon) – They're freaky but they're also tasty, and they're common along the Oregon coast and Washington coast. Most any fisherman on these oceans will easily tout their many attractive qualities. (Photo courtesy Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium)

Inside any aquarium on the Oregon or Washington coastline, the Chinese rockfish is a colorful wonder. Intensely colored spots give way to a kind of psychedelic effect, as if they were dressed up for a rave, or perhaps part a show in the early careers of Velvet Underground or Frank Zappa. In a word: trippy, man. Yet they're stunningly beautiful.

Seaside Aquarium's Tiffany Boothe also agrees the China rockfish (Sebastes Nebulosus) is possibly the most striking of sea creatures in the area. They have a dark blue or black body, with splotches of yellow and a wide yellow strip along their sides. Yet in her photos they look like they might do something spectacular visually if you hit them with a black light.

Once the China rockfish is caught and out in the air, its colors don't have the same glow or iridescence, but the shades and patterns are still lovely.

According to many chefs it's a popular dish in west coast Chinese restaurants. What does the Chinese Rockfish taste like? It has a delicate, nutty and sweet flavor, with lean meat and a medium-firm texture. It has a fine flake, which is much coveted in the seafood world.

Boothe said they currently have three China rockfish at the facility on the north Oregon coast, all of which have been at the aquarium for over 20 years.


Courtesy Seaside Aquarium

“Like other species of rockfish, they have a relatively long lifespan, often exceeding the age of 70,” she said.

Other marine scientists say the China rockfish can live as long as 83 years or even more. Stunning.

China Rockfish live at fairly shallow depths, according to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), generally 10 to 400 feet deep and always around rocky reefs.

“They can be quite territorial and are not much for traveling,” Boothe said. “Usually most active at dusk, they do not travel further than 20 or so feet from their established territory. They prefer complex habitats like boulder fields or kelp beds and are sometimes found living in dens or caves occupied by giant Pacific octopus.”

They have a tendency to to hang upside down in crevices and caves off the Oregon coast and Washington coast.

ODFW offered some tricks and tips to catch them: “They readily take both bait and lures. China rockfish will be caught in areas with lots of rocks and crevasses, and by keeping the bait or lure very close to the bottom.”

The name China rockfish comes from the the early Chinese immigrants to California who had quite a craving for the fish.

Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

 


MORE PHOTOS BELOW





Photos below courtesy ODFW



More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....


Coastal Spotlight


Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees nearly 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Constant Killer Views at One Cannon Beach Legend: Oregon Coast Travel Tips
There's also deep history at this popular, luxury hotel. Cannon Beach hotel reviews, Cannon Beach lodging, Tolovana Inn
Pink Floyd on Oregon Coast? Pigs on the Wing Brings Visual, Sonic Punch to As...
At Astoria's Liberty Theatre this Saturday, September 30
UPDATE: Coast Guard Ends Search for Woman Swept Away at Rialto Beach, Washing...
Witnesses said she was sucked into the surf by heavy waves
Chonky, Orange Moon, Planets and Meteor Showers Coming: Washington / Oregon C...
Larger-than-usual full moon and some meteors coming later. Sciences
U.S. Travel Tips: Rugged, Remote to Chic at Tierra Del Mar on Oregon's North ...
From elegant to surfing, hiking, hang gliding. Pacific City hotels, Tillamook, Oceanside
Cannon Beach Hotels, Lodging, Motels - N. Oregon Coast
Updated weekly: hotels in Cannon Beach, Arch Cape, lodging, motels, inns, lodging deals
Oregon / Washington Coast Alerts: Flood Watch, First Big Waves of Season
Floods, lots of rain, high winds and some rather good storm watching, beach safety
Sea Lions Sick with Leptospirosis on Oregon Coast: Keep Pets, Yourselves Away
Stay clear of sick or dead sea lions. Marine sciences, beach safety

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted