Swordspine Rockfish

Sebastes ensifer has a relatively slender body with a depth that is just over a quarter of its standard length. The body has many spines and is covered in scales. The colour varies from bronze to orange, pink, or red. There are 3 to 5 light-coloured spots on the upper body. The long head ends in a moderately long snout and has very large eyes, and a quite large terminally positioned mouth. The anal fin has 3 spines, the second spine is very robust and long, and 5 to 7 soft rays while the dorsal fin has 13 spines and 12 to 14 soft rays. The pectoral fins contain 16 to 18 rays. This species grows to a maximum total length of 30 cm (12 in).

Sebastes ensifer is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean and has a restricted range off the western coast of North America. Its range extends from San Francisco, California south to Guerrero Negroin Baja California Sur. This species is a demersal fish which is found at depths between 70 and 433 m (230 and 1,421 ft). They are found in rocky areas with high relief.