Be on the Lookout

The California sheephead begins its life as a female and may change sex after it reaches about 8 years old. What decides whether this change takes place? Although each male has his own territory, should he be eliminated, a resident female will transform into a male. The process takes less than 1 year. This fish is slow moving, and the adult male is very nosy so don't be surprised to find one one of these big boys (males to 3 feet long) tagging along with you on some part of your dive. The adult male, adult female, and juvenile all have different appearances. Presently, there are many juveniles hiding (not very well due to their coloration) among the seaweed right up against the canyon wall.

• To read more about local marine life, visit the The San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve page.

[Updated 1/08]

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