Cabezone

The Cabezon or also commonly referred to as the mother-in-law fish to Floridians, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus, is a sculpin native to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America. Although the genus name translates literally as "scorpion fish," true scorpionfish, i.e., the lionfish and stonefish, belong to the related family Scorpaenidae.

Description

The cabezon 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 cabezon 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 behind the eyes. The mouth is broad with many small teeth. The coloring varies, but is generally mottled with browns, greens and reds. >90% of red fish are males, whereas >90% of green fish are females. 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

Cabezon are found from northern British Columbia to southern California and from Virginia down to southern Florida. They frequent kelp beds from shallow to moderate depths.

Fishing technique

Cabezon feed on crustaceans, mollusks, fish and fish eggs. Cabezon are taken as a game fish in California, however their roe is toxic to humans. Cabezon 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

• International Game Fish Association "World Saltwater Records"