SOME DATA ON BIOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION FOR LARVAE OF ROCKFISHES FROM GENUS SEBASTES IN THE WATERS OF THE AVACHINSKY BAY (KAMCHATKA PENINSULA)

Abstract

Results of ichthyoplankton surveys conducted in the Avachinsky Bay in the springs of 2003–2018 are presented. The larvae of 3 species of genus Sebastes occurred in the bay, starting in March, as shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis, pacific ocean perch Sebastes alutus, and rougheye rockfish Sebastes aleutianus. The maximal catches of the larvae were obtained at the depth ≤ 500 m, mostly over the deep-water canyons. Problems of the rockfish larvae identifying to species are discussed, as absence of the detailed identifier for these species. Photo-images of the larvae are presented for Sebastes alutus and Sebastes aleutianus collected in spring of 2018, their typical differences are considered. Size composition is presented for the larvae of Sebastes.