California Sheephead
Bodianus pulcher
A large wrasse species with distinctive sexual dimorphism, where males develop prominent black heads and red bodies with a white band. Females and juveniles are typically pink or reddish in color.
California Sheephead at a glance
- Scientific name
- Bodianus pulcher
- Typical size
- 12-24 inches, 2-8 lbs
- Water
- Saltwater
- Habitat
- Reef
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Uncommon
Habitat
Found along rocky reefs, kelp forests, and hard bottom areas from Baja California to Point Conception. Anglers target them using bottom fishing techniques with live or dead bait near rocky structure and kelp beds. They feed primarily on sea urchins, mollusks, and crustaceans.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a california sheephead through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksCalifornia Sheephead questions people ask
California Sheephead is Bodianus pulcher.
A typical california sheephead runs 12-24 inches, 2-8 lbs. Cobia records the length and weight of every california sheephead you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Found along rocky reefs, kelp forests, and hard bottom areas from Baja California to Point Conception. Anglers target them using bottom fishing techniques with live or dead bait near rocky structure and kelp beds. They feed primarily on sea urchins, mollusks, and crustaceans. It is a salt water species, filed under reef in the Fishdex.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.