Identifying Characteristics and Biology
- Male and female sheephead are differentiated mainly by coloration and time. They typically maintain the same body shape until males develop a large flat forehead as they grow in size and age.
- The California sheephead is a member of the Wrasse family and within this species there are many that change sexes. Most Sheephead go through this transition. Sheephead change from female stage to a male stage at or around 8 years old and the transition takes approximately a year to complete.
- Female Sheephead are typically reddish to brownish orange, and relatively evenly colored.
- Male Sheephead develop very dramatic colorations with a large solid black head and gill areas with white chins, then in a line to red orange or bright red mid section then back again to dark black tail section.
- Large canine teeth are present in both.
- Sheephead are a relatively slow growing species that can attain a size of 3 feet, and weigh in the 20 to 40 pound range (large specimens). Off Southern California, sportfish catches typically range from 2 to 10 pounds specimens.
Range and Habitat
- California Sheepheads are found from Central California down the coast of Baja California, and back north up into the Gulf of California.
- They can range from intertidal zone to at least 200 feet, but typically from 20 to 120 foot depths usually around rock reefs, and kelp beds are a good starting place to locate them.
Market Forms
- Sheepheads are good eating fish.