Introducing our March Fish of the Month, the Grunt Sculpin, Rhamphocottus richardsonii!
Survey Regions: The Grunt Sculpin is found in REEF's Pacific US and Canada (PAC) survey region. It is common from Alaska to Puget Sound, with rarer sightings to the south in Oregon and California. Click here to see a distribution for this species in the REEF database.
Size: They are 2-3 inches long and grow to a maximum of 3.5 inches.
Identifying Features: Grunt Sculpins have a short, stocky, slightly curled body and a large, bulbous head with a tapered snout. They have a bright orange tail base with a white band, and are covered in mottles and streaks ranging from cream to orange to dark brown.
Fun Facts: Grunt Sculpins live on rocky bottoms and areas with sand and rubble. They use their pectoral fin rays to "crawl" along the bottom, and will often shelter in empty barnacle shells.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Janna Nichols.