Scientific name:
Semicossyphus pulcher
Distinctive features:
1. White chin in both phases.
TP: Red to orange or pink midbody; dark head and rear body.
IP: Pink to reddish brown.
Size:
1-2 ft. max. 3 ft. (terminal phase male), 6-12 in. (initial phase)
Two distinct color phases, terminal and initial. Older TPs develop a bulbous limp on nape. Occasional to uncommon central California; formally common but numbers greatly reduced by overfishing, especially spearfishing of large TP.