China rockfish are named as such due to the preference for this rockfish of Asian-Americans from central California. Other names include China cod, black and yellow rock cod, cerod, pelican, and yellowstripe rockfish.
Its general coloration is mottled yellow and white over a black background. A marked yellow stripe starts at about the third dorsal spine, runs down to the lateral line and extends back to the tail.
Chinas are found from the northern Gulf of Alaska to to the southern California islands, but are most abundant from Prince William Sound to Cape Mendocino. They may attain a length of up to 18 inches but most are considerably shorter. They are a solitary species, preferring to remain strictly local over rocky outcrops containing good hiding places. This species will “eat just about anything”, and are commonly seen to regurgitate such prey as chitons, brittle stars, snails, crabs, and octopi upon being landed.
