Cabezone

Taxobox
name = Cabezone

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image_width = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Scorpaeniformes
subordo = Cottoidei
superfamilia = Cottoidea
familia = Cottidae
genus = "Scorpaenichthys"
genus_authority = Girard, 1854
species "Scorpaenichthys marmoratus"The cabezone or cabezon is also known as "Scorpaenichthys marmoratus". Although the genus name translates literally as "scorpion fish," true scorpionfish belong to the related family Scorpaenidae.

Description

It is a scaleless fish, with a broad bony support extending from the eye across the cheek just under the skin. Normally it has 11 spines on the dorsal fin. The cabezone also has a stout spine before the eye, an anal fin of soft rays, and a fleshy flap on the middle of the snout. A pair of longer flaps are just back of the eyes. The mouth is broad with many small teeth it has large pale areas on the body. The coloring varies, is mottled with browns, greens and reds. >90% of red fish are males, whereas >90% of green fish are females [Probably More Than You Want To Know About The Fishes Of The Pacific Coast by Milton Love. Pg 222] It reaches a weight of up to 25 pounds. As the Spanish-origin name implies, the fish has a very large head relative to its body.

Distribution and habitat

It is found from northern British Columbia to southern California. It frequents kelp beds at moderate depths, and shallow waters.

Fishing technique

It feeds on crustaceans, fishes and fish eggs. The cabezone is considered important as a game fish in Central California waters. An excellent food fish, it is taken irregulary throughout the year by using cut bait and jigs for bait. Cabezone inhabit the tops of rocky ledges as opposed to rockfish and lingcod, which usually inhabit the sheer faces of these features.

The current world record for cabezone on hook and line is 23 pounds, 0 ounces in Juan de Fuca Strait, WA on Aug. 4, 1990 by Wesley Hunter.

References

*H. J. Rayner "Cabezone." "The Wise Fishermen's Encyclopedia" (1951)
*International Game Fish Association "World Saltwater Records" http://www.schoolofflyfishing.com/resources/worldsaltrecords.htm "(Link dead as of Aug 15, 2008)"