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The California sheephead is a monandric protogynous hermaphrodite and is a commercially and recreationally valuable labrid. [12] It is a prominent species occupying the southern California rocky reef and kelp bed fish assemblage.
Sheephead are fished primarily south of Point Conception (Santa Barbara County) in nearshore waters around the offshore islands and along the mainland shore over rocky reefs and in kelp forests. Fishing season. Recreational anglers can fish for sheephead from March 1 through December 31 onboard boats.
California sheephead are easily recognizable by their distinctive black and red coloring. They are also one of the biggest, toothiest fish in the kelp forest. They live in small groups along the rocky coastline of California.
Learn about the California sheephead, a wrasse with large teeth and a white chin that lives in kelp forests. Find out its habitat, diet, conservation status, and how it changes sex depending on food availability.
The California sheephead is a carnivorous, epibenthic reef fish, foraging mostly in the daytime in sand-rock reef habitats. Its feeding territories are very productive and allow individuals to occupy small, permanent, economically defendable home ranges.
This species is primarily found off the coastal waters of southern California and Baja California waters. Born female, these fish undergo a remarkable transformation as they mature, developing a prominent forehead and a bold color scheme of black, white, and vibrant pink.
The California sheephead is part of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Nearshore Fishery Management Plan. Minimum catch size is set to 33cm (13 inches) and limited to 5 fish during open seasons.
