These rockfish settle out of the plankton as large larvae, usually in kelp forests. As adults they remain as solitary individuals in the kelp forest feeding on crabs, shrimps, small fish, and octopi. Their biology is similar to that of gopher rockfish differing principally in color. Depth 18 m.
This eelpout, about 7 cm long, swims about in a darkened, chilled aquarium. When illuminated, It curls up in a ball and hangs motionless in the water. To a predator it may appear too large to swallow, or perhaps it resembles a jellyfish with stinging cells.
