Sebastes viviparus Kröyer, 1845
Small Redfish
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There are a number of Sebastes species in the cold North Atlantic waters. They include Sebastes viviparus and Sebastes marinus (Linnaeus, 1758). Sebastes marinus occurs at depths from 10 - 1000 m, while Sebastes viviparus is usually recorded from 10 to 150 m. Sebastes viviparus is a benthic species occurring on rocky bottoms closer to the shore. However, they are also found at greater depths of up to 760 m. Larvae are released between May and August. Distribution is from northern Norway south along the coast towards the northern British Isles, the Rockall Bank to Iceland (Whitehead et al., 1986b).
Diagnostic features of Sebastes viviparus include its spiny dorsal fin (14-16 spines) and bright red colouration with several darker bands on its sides. It can reach a size of 35 cm but are more usually about 25 cm (Whitehead et al., 1986b).
During the present survey, small redfish were observed either individually or in small shoals on the Kosterfjord Sacken reef, the Hurtside wreck and the Sula Reef (where they appeared to dominate the fish fauna associated with the coral). They did not appear to be disturbed by the presence of the camera at a distance but tended to hide in the coral as it approached.
The family Sebastidae appear to be becoming an increasingly valuable commercial fish.
There is more information available on this species in FishBase.
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Prepared by: Ecological Consultancy Services Ltd www.ecoserve.ie