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Copper rockfish live from the Gulf of Alaska to central Baja California; they are most abundant off the coast of British Columbia.

Adults and juveniles come in such such a variety of colors that identification can be confusing. Copper rockfish are sometimes called "the fish that never die," because they survive in air for quite a while. They can grow to 22.5 inches in length; and get as old as 50 years.

Adults generally live at depths below 400 feet, but they can be found between 200 and 600 feet. These solitary, bottom-dwelling fish are commonly found live on high-relief areas of the sea floor such as rocky pinnacles and shipwrecks. They have even been sighted sharing caves with Giant Pacific octopuses.

Juvenile rockfish live on plankton; adult fish eat octopus, crab, shrimp and small fish.