Sheephead generally are considered mainly a rocky-reef and kelp-bed associated species, but they occasionally frequent sand habitats in foraging forays. They may select rocky areas with kelp most often due to the increased habitat complexity, which likely offers additional feeding opportunities and potential refuge from large predators. Sheephead home ranges are relatively small, and the fish have a very high site attachment. Although their home ranges are thought of as particularly well defined, the size and fidelity may vary ontogenetically and seasonally and with habitat availability. It is found in rocky-reef areas 54% of the time, and within those areas, a greater percentage of daytime is found in high relief areas. Home ranges in California sheephead vary greatly, and this variability can be attributed to differences in habitat shape ( embayment versus contiguous coastline) and to natural habitat boundaries (deep, sandy expanses). Because only large individuals are male, setting minimum catch sizes has made populations mostly female, with a negative effect on population sizes. The two sexes have extremely different appearances, so this transition is among the most dramatic among the wrasses. All are born female, and the largest individuals become male due to hormonal changes triggered by social cues. Like many wrasse species, sheephead are protogynous. Fertilized eggs are released into the water column and hatch, resulting in planktonic larva. The California sheephead lives in kelp forests and rocky reefs, where it feeds on sea urchins, molluscs, lobsters, and crabs. In French, the fish is called the labre Californien, and in Spanish it is called the vieja de California. Semicossyphus is Greek semi means half and kossyphos means a kind of fish. If food is scarce, it can live up to 9 years. When supplied with a large amount of food, the California sheephead can live for up to 21 years. The age of the transition depends on environmental factors such as food supply. All sheepheads are born as females and eventually change to males at roughly 45 cm (1.5 ft). California sheephead can reach a size of 91 cm (3 ft) and a weight of 16 kg (35 lb). After powerful jaws and sharp teeth crush the prey, modified throat bones (a throat plate) grind the shells into small pieces. Both sexes have white chins and large, protruding canine teeth that can pry hard-shelled animals from rocks or inflict nasty puncture wounds on skin divers. Female sheephead are silvery or dull pink with white undersides. Males are larger, with black tail and head sections, wide, reddish orange midriffs, red eyes, and fleshy forehead bumps. Male and female California sheepheads have different color patterns and body shapes. Description California sheephead, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary This skews the male-to-female ratio and affects the fishes' lifecycle, which can negatively affect populations. Since fisheries tend to remove the largest fish, they end up removing the males. The California sheephead is considered vulnerable due to high fishing rates off of the coast of southern California. Their coral and kelp-heavy habitat provides protection from predators, which is important as this species is diurnal, foraging during the day and seeking shelter at night. Because of this, they are considered to be protogynous hermaphrodites which have planktonic larvae. It is carnivorous, living in rocky reef and kelp bed habitats, feeding primarily on sea urchins, molluscs, and crustaceans.Īll California sheephead are hatched female and morph into their male form at various stages in their lifecycle, determined by environmental conditions and pressures. It can live for up to 20 years in favorable conditions and can reach a size of up to 91 cm (3 ft) and a weight of 16 kg (35 lb). Its range is from Monterey Bay, California, to the Gulf of California, Mexico. The California sheephead ( Semicossyphus pulcher) is a species of wrasse native to the eastern Pacific Ocean.
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