The tiger rockfish was originally described in 1859 by the esteemed American zoologist, William Orville Ayres. This species falls under the subfamily Sebastinae, which belongs to the family Scorpaenidae. It is primarily found in the Pacific Ocean, specifically in the waters off western North America. The scientific name, Sebastes nigrocinctus, reflects its notable physical features, with "nigrocinctus" referring to the black bands encircling its body.
The tiger rockfish is characterized by its large, heavy-bodied structure and prominent mouth. Its dorsal fin boasts 13 robust spines and 13 to 15 soft rays, while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 6 or 7 soft rays. Notably, the head exhibits several robust spines, including the nasal, preocular, supraocular, postocular, tympanic, coronal, parietal, and nuchal spines. With a rounded caudal fin, this species can reach a maximum total length of 61 cm (24 in) and a weight of up to 2.2 kg (4.9 lb). The body of the tiger rockfish is typically adorned with five vertical bars, varying in color from red to purple, brown, and black, against a backdrop of pink to white. Additionally, two bars radiate rearwards from the eyes, contributing to its distinctive appearance. Younger tiger rockfish exhibit dark tips on their pelvic and anal fins.
The tiger rockfish inhabits the eastern Pacific Ocean, ranging from Cape Resurrection on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska to Point Buchon on the central coast of California. This species is commonly associated with reefs found at depths between 10 and 275 m (33 and 902 ft). It can be observed dwelling among rock reefs and within the enchanting kelp forests, adding to the allure of its natural habitat.
Renowned for its solitary and territorial nature, the tiger rockfish typically establishes its shelter in rocky areas, often occupying crevices. While juveniles are pelagic, adults prefer the security of a designated home range. This remarkable fish exhibits rapid color changes in response to alarm signals or variations in light. The tiger rockfish's diet consists mainly of young fishes, particularly herring and juvenile rockfish, as well as various crustaceans like caridean shrimp, yellow rock crab (Metacarcinus anthonyi), brown rock crab (Romaleon antennarium), and red rock crab (Cancer productus). Research has revealed that tiger rockfish can live for an impressive 116 years. Like other species in its genus, the tiger rockfish follows an ovoviviparous reproductive strategy. This means that fertilization occurs internally, and the eggs remain within the female until they give birth to live larval fish. The larval stage typically lasts around two months, after which the juveniles settle on the seabed. Females attain sexual maturity between 27.9 and 45.7 cm (11.0 and 18.0 in) in length, while males reach maturity between 35.6 and 48.3 cm (14.0 and 19.0 in), often taking at least eight