PNW Sea Critter of the Month – September/October: Mosshead Warbonnet
#1
Posted 26 October 2006 - 01:23 PM
Family: Stichaeidae (Pricklebacks). Subfamily: Chirolophinae Cottid.e, Order: Perciformes (perch-likes). Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes).
Color: variable- males brownish, sometimes with a red tinge. Females nearly plain brown on body.
Description: The dorsal fin, which runs the length of its eel-like body is lined with about 13 dark spots rimmed with yellow; lower sides of the body are mottled with white/pale colored irregular shaped spots in a pattern running the length of the body; face is pale colored with brown to reddish band through the eye and on the cheek behind the eye. Long white anal fin tipped in yellow color. Its head is typically small but sports a mass of moss-like growths (cirri) on top.
[Photo © Edward Elles, All Rights Reserved]
Size: Up to 6 inches
Habitat: Intertidal and subtidal rocky areas.
Range: From southern California to Alaska.
Depth: 60-265 ft.
Behavior: You may spot them more readily hiding in crevices, old shells, or bottles, with just its head showing. Its moss-like "warbonnet" provides useful camouflage.
[Photo © Edward Elles, All Rights Reserved]
Interesting Fact: Often confused by divers with its close relative, the Decorated Warbonnet, which has even more pronounced cirri.
Let us know if you have spotted one lately!
My dive buddies and I spotted one in the San Juans, WA at Bell Island Wall on 9/11. Then again 10/15 at Rosie's Ravine in Hood Canal, WA. And then again this past Saturday (10/21) at North Wall in South Puget Sound, WA. The great thing about Fish ID, once you have spotted something in its natural habitat, it is much easier to spot again and again.
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#3
Posted 26 October 2006 - 04:03 PM
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#4
Posted 26 October 2006 - 05:36 PM
Robin
(strobes flashing all around)
#5
Posted 26 October 2006 - 08:09 PM
You mean like this... Actually, I don't even know what a Horned Shrimp is.Excellent!! I like that wall! Had an amazing dive last Fall there at night where we saw red octopus out and hunting. We also saw many fat Stubby Squid and Horned Shrimp both of which I had never seen before!!
#6
Posted 30 October 2006 - 02:44 PM
It's one of these!Actually, I don't even know what a Horned Shrimp is.
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#7
Posted 30 October 2006 - 05:54 PM
I went on an interesting night dive last night at Day Island Wall and had a Dogfish head butt me. It was attracted to my dive light and dropped off the wall and headed straight for me. I had to push it away with my dive light.
Now, that's something I wouldn't have to do with a Horned Shrimp!
#8
Posted 30 October 2006 - 06:14 PM
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#9
Posted 30 October 2006 - 06:18 PM
They are strange looking critters.
Formerly known as gis_gal and name tattoo'd for a small bribe!
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