Large caninie-type teeth. All sheephead start out as females and as they mature turn to males. Female sheephead tend to be even-colored, pink to a dark red on sides and top, and white bellies. Males develop a pronounced forehead and are typically black on head and tail, and a heavy center stripe of red, with a distinctive white chin and belly.

Monterey Bay, Central California to the Gulf of California. Rock reefs and kelp. Commonly found from just below intertidal to aprox. 300 ft.

Long living, relatively slow-growing fish, living to an age of about 50 years. Aprox. 30 lbs. max size.

Fresh.