UC San Diego Library – Scripps Digital Collection

During the past 15 years the cabezon, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus, the largest of the North American Cottidae and a species of minor economic importance, has gained considerable popularity in the California sport fishery. Its commercial status, however, has changed but little during this time. Jordan and Evermann (1898) remarked that the cabezon is used but not esteemed as a food fish, and, although the commercial landings have increased somewhat, this sentiment still prevails.

The enthusiasm of the sportsman and the apathy of the marketman are easily understood. To the former, the cabezon is a relatively large and quite edible prize. To the latter it is, although large enough, considered inferior in quality to most other market fishes. Of course the attitude of the marketman is, in part, a reflection of customer preference, and unfortunately the customer may be repelled by nothing more than the allegedly unattractive appearance of this species.

Nevertheless, the cabezon, already a marketable fish, should be considered a potentially greater food resource. Although not markedly superior in quality, it is at least as palatable as many of the more popular market fishes. As Hubbs and Wick (1951) discovered, its only dietetic defect is the poisonous condition of the roe. Fillets of one and one-half pounds or more can be obtained from an average market specimen, but the species is usually sold in the round. Only one market in Monterey regularly fillets them in quantity for a local truck vendor. None are shipped to other markets from Monterey.

In view of the sixfold increase in sport landings of the cabezon since the end of the war, the drain on the population may conceivably reach proportions capable of diminishing the stock in the foreseeable future.

Should increasing demand for the cabezon eventually elevate it to a position of greater economic importance in the California catch, a knowledge of its biology would be desirable. To this end, the information here presented will facilitate further study of the species and ultimately contribute to its management.