Canary rockfish are an eastern Pacific species that typically inhabit rocky bottoms at depths of 70-270 metres from the Gulf of Alaska to Baha California. They live near the ocean floor preferring hard, rocky bottoms near the continental shelf. Juvenile Canary Rockfish tend to remain in shallower water and move into deeper water as they get older.

Canary Rockfish are coloured with a blend of grey and a heavy mottling of bright red or orange. They have three orange lines on their head and a grey lateral line. Their mouth is fairly large, with a protruding lower jaw. On their dorsal side they have several hard spines and a flat dorsal fin. Canary Rockfish can be as long as 75 centimetres, but are typically 55-60 centimetres with a maximum weight of 5.7 kg. The Canary Rockfish has late maturity (13 years for females) and a long maximum lifespan (84 years).