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C Yohman August 10th, 2006 02:02 PM

What type of fish is this?
 
http://www.976-tuna.com/images/2006i...dom/Pic063.jpg

[email protected] August 14th, 2006 08:56 PM

What type of fish is this?
 

C Yohman wrote:
http://www.976-tuna.com/images/2006i...dom/Pic063.jpg


It is listed as "California Sheepshead", but may have other names
locally.
It is obviously a type of "bumphead" wrasse, but took a while to
locate the correct ID photo. If your fish was longer than 36 inches,
you probably ate a record fish.


http://www.scubanaked.com/fish/californiasheephead.html

Improve your ID he
http://www.scubanaked.com/fish.html

Family:
Labridae (Wrasses)
Genus and Species:
Semicossyphus pulcher
Description:
The body of the California sheephead is elongate, robust, and
compressed. This species is a "protogynous hermaphrodite"; meaning that
it begins life as a female, but then becomes a male later in life.
Females mature at about 8 inches in length when they reach 4 to 5 years
of age. Most females transform to males at a length of about 12 inches
at 7 to 8 years of age.
This sex change is accompanied by a marked change in appearance.
Younger fish (females) are a uniform pinkish red with a white lower
jaw. As they age and become males, the head and rear third of the body
turns black, the midsection of the body remains red and the lower jaw
remains white. In all stages of their development, sheephead have
unusually large dog-like teeth.
Range:
California sheephead occur from Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, to
Monterey Bay, California, with an isolated population in the Gulf of
California. They are uncommon north of Point Conception. California
sheephead are generally taken in rocky kelp areas near shore, in water
from 20 to 100 feet deep, although they do occur as deep as 180 feet.
Natural History:
Crabs, mussels, various sized snails, squid, sea urchins, sand
dollars, and sea cucumbers are typical food items. The large
canine-like teeth are used to pry food from rocks. A special plate in
the throat crushes shells into small pieces for easy digestion.
Occasionally, large adults have been observed out of the water in the
intertidal hanging onto mussels after a wave has receded. Spawning
takes place in early spring and summer. Young about 0.5 inch long occur
in late May through late December and do not resemble the adult. They
are brilliant red orange with two black spots on the dorsal fin and a
black spot at base of tail fin. Pelvic and anal fins are black, trimmed
in white. Occasional lemon yellow young are seen. The young live close
to rocks at depths from 10 to well below 100 feet, particularly around
beds of gorgonian corals (sea fans). When disturbed, they seek shelter
in sea fans or among red seaweed. The following summer, juveniles are 3
to 4 inches long and have faded to dull pink. At 2 years they are 6 to
8 inches long, have lost all spots, and have a typical female color
pattern.
Fishing Information:
Sheephead will take a variety of live and cut baits, such as anchovy
or squid, fished on the bottom. Those interested in trophy-sized
sheephead may try a whole, live mackerel fished on the bottom. The
angler who hooks a California sheephead is usually in for a strong,
tugging battle. A battle that commonly ends in disaster when the
"catch" runs through or around a kelp plant, or under the nearest rocky
ledge.
Other Common Names:
sheepie, goat, billygoats (large), red fish, humpy, fathead.
Largest Recorded:
36 inches; 36.25 pounds.
Habitat:
Shallow Rocky Environment



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