[4] Its common name, yellowmouth rockfish, comes from the characteristic yellow markings found on the inside of its mouth,[4][5][6] whereas its scientific name, Sebastes reedi, originally comes from Queen's University Professor G. B. Reed, the Fisheries Research Board of Canada's chairman from 1947 to 1953.

[4][5][6][7][8] Yellowmouth rockfish are widely distributed along the west coast of Canada, with highest densities in Queen Charlotte Sound.

[4] In British Columbia, fertilization events occur in February and females bear live young from early spring through June.

[4] Juvenile yellowmouth rockfish are vulnerable to predation by other fish, such as Pacific Hake and Chinook Salmon, as well as by seabirds.

[4] Once they reach adulthood, yellowmouth rockfish become benthic and settle on rocky substrates along the ocean floor.

[4][8] Bottom trawling is the preferred method of catching yellowmouth rockfish along the continental slope in British Columbia, and very little of this area receives habitat protection.

[4] In 2006, the Seafood Watch Program of Monterey Bay Aquarium classified all slope rockfish as high conservation concern and inherently vulnerable.

[4][6][8] Rockfish traits of slow growth, delayed maturity, and longevity make them vulnerable to overfishing, habitat loss from bottom trawling, and environmental change.

[4][10] Out of the yellowmouth rockfish surveyed for pathogens off of the coast of Oregon in 2001, 10% were found to be infected with Ichthyophonus and 2% with Mycobacterium.

[4] The spleens and kidneys of rockfish infected with these pathogens contained multiple, discrete nodules of cartilaginous metaplasia.