rockfish

American  

[rok-fish] / ˈrɒkˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

rockfish,

plural

rockfishes

1. any of various fishes found among rocks.

2. striped bass.

3. any of the North Pacific and Atlantic marine fishes of the genus Sebastes.

4. scorpionfish.

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rockfish British  

/ ˈrɒkˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any of various fishes that live among rocks, esp scorpaenid fishes of the genus Sebastodes and related genera, such as S. caurinus ( copper rockfish ) of North American Pacific coastal waters

2. Formerly called: rock salmon.  any of several coarse fishes when used as food, esp the dogfish or wolffish

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Etymology

Origin of rockfish

First recorded in 1590–1600; rock ¹ + fish

Example Sentences

William Smith, who goes by Captain Smitty, said he lost about three-fourths of his charter business because he couldn’t take passengers salmon fishing, and also saw losses because of restrictions on the rockfish season.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2024

Deepwater corals extend off the pilings like branching trees, and shoals of striped rockfish that make up roughly 90 percent of the species of fish associated with the platform’s habitat.

From National Geographic • Aug. 8, 2023

The housemade couscous was topped with sweet, delicate rockfish cooked in tomato broth for a soothing lunch we'd see variations of across the island over the ensuing days.

From Salon • Jul. 31, 2023

Found only in temperate waters, a thriving, nurturing kelp canopy and understory host hungry young salmon at an all-you-can-eat buffet, a Pacific herring’s breeding ground, and growing juvenile rockfish larvae.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 8, 2023

It seems like the rockfish on top of the load is laughing at me.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith