THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

136 A Docent Field Guide to the Species of the Steinhart Aquarium
Usually found in depths less than 1 m.
Appearance: Coloration varies greatly from
green to reddish brown to pink, depending
on the color of the surrounding algae; sides
spotted and mottled. Like many sculpins, they
have no scales. Cirri line the base of the dorsal
fin and the lateral line. The common name
refers to a “fluffy” fleshy area behind the dorsal
fin. Max. length: 9 cm; average weight: 8 g.
Diet: Worms, crustaceans, and other marine
invertebrates. Larger males also prey on
shrimp and crabs, and eat a greater diversity
of food than do the females.
Reproduction and Development: Internal
fertilization. Males have a prehensile first anal
ray used to clasp females during copulation.
Eggs are deposited on rocks and guarded by
the male. They develop through larval, post
larval, juvenile and adult stages. Reproduction
occurs during periods of upwelling, when food
is plentiful.
Mortality/Longevity: Life span: 1 to 2+ years.
Remarks: Fluffies display homing behavior
in moving from one pool to another, and are
often able to find their familiar pools from
some distance.
Can breathe air for hours at a time, often in
response to reduction in the tide pool’s oxygen
at night when plants respire.
Cabezon
Scorpaenichthys marmoratus (Cottidae)
Sculpins
Distribution: Southeast Alaska to Baja
California.
Habitat: Inhabits rocky bottoms, especially
near kelp beds and often along exposed coasts
and in tidal passages. Found from the intertidal
to depths of 90+ m.
Appearance: Cabezon (Spanish for “stubborn”)
have a bulbous head and a stout body. Color
is marbled earthtones; males generally display
red shades while females are usually greenish.
Can change color, lighten or darken to blend
in with the background. They are the largest
members of the sculpin family. The largest
recorded size is 100 cm in length and over 11
kg.
Diet: Lie and wait predator. With pectoral fins
set low on the body and with a powerful tail,
it quickly lunges after crabs, small lobsters,
mollusks, small fish and fish eggs. Can swallow
abalone whole and later regurgitate the
indigestible shell.
Reproduction and Development: In central
California males mature by age 4 and
females by age 6. Cabezon gather in groups
for spawning, which occurs off the California
coast from October through April. Females
lay 50,000 to 100,000 red, purple, amber or
green eggs in large masses attached to rocks
or logs in shallow water. Males aggressively
guard the fertilized egg masses until they
hatch in 2–3 weeks. The eggs are highly toxic
to humans, other mammals and birds.
Mortality/Longevity: Life span: more than 13
years.
Remarks: Cabezon are popular with sport
fishermen on the water and spear fisherman
in the water.
Sailfin Sculpin
Nautichthys oculofasciatus (Hemitripteridae)
Sea Ravens or Sailfin Sculpins
Distribution: Alaska to San Miguel Island,
southern California.
Appearance: Color varies, grayish on top with
variously hued markings and occasionally red
markings on dorsal fin. A dark streak runs
across the head through the eyes. To 20 cm.
Habitat: Found at about 90 m, most often on
rocky bottoms with algae; occasionally seen
hanging upside down in rock crevices.
Diet: Small shrimps and other crustaceans.
Typically moves and hunts by rippling the
second dorsal fin and sculling with pectoral
fins in a hopping motion toward prey.
Reproduction and Development: Female
spawns in winter and spring, when eggs are
laid on rocks and often among mussel beds.
The male guards the eggs.
Remarks: The anterior dorsal fin is extended
in front of the head when the fish swims and
resembles a sail, hence the common name.
Often the sailfin moves back and forth in the
same rhythm as the movement of nearby
seaweeds. Coupled with its cryptic coloration,
this remarkable behavior disguises the fish
from predators and prey.
A popular aquarium fish.