Wooly Sculpin (Clinocottus analis)

Contributed by TPERP Becky Wieder

Where to find them: From Cape Mendocino in northern California to central Baja California in Mexico

What do they eat: Crustaceans, molluscs and other small prey such as worms

Who eats them: Great Blue Heron, other shore birds, larger fish and crabs

Adaptations: They are covered with cirri and prickles, and they come in a wide variety of colors (brown, reddish, green, green-black) and are mottled and speckled. Fish in the shallower pools are lighter colored than those in deeper pools. They are typically 2 to 7 inches in length.

Reproduction: Spawning occurs throughout the year with the number of eggs ranging from 50 to 1,300.

What is their life like: They are bottom dwelling fish. The females live about 6 years and the males live about 8 years.

Interesting Facts: Change color to match background. They can breathe air through their skin.

Classification
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Cottidae

Sources of Information:

Certainly More Than You Want to Know About the Fishes of the Pacific Coast, Milton S. Love, (Reallybigpress.com, 2011)

Last revised 01-Sep-14