Fish ID

[lundysd]

I need a fish ID from the experts... the dive was a night dive at Edmonds and this little guy was sitting on a rock pile. About 8 inches long, relatively thin tapered body, light color with spots, and a long (3 inch) thin protrusion on the forehead. He didn't look like any warbonnet I've ever seen (usually they have smaller, branchier protrusions).... Ideas?

 

[3-Ring Octopus]

Angler of some sort?

Only thing I can think of with a projection that long in relation to the rest of the body. Didn't know we had any native species though...but I imagine there must be some.

W/O a picture..it'd be hard to say.

Cheers,
Austin

 

[coachrenz]

As far as I know there aren't any anglers around here, unless they are in a boat or on a dock trying to catch one of us divers.

I would guess it is a sculpin of some sort.

Maybe one of these Sailfin Sculpins

isn't the best angle for a picture, but...

Tim
TimRenz.com

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Yeah, most likely a sailfin sculpin ... especially since it was a night dive.

Did he look like this?

 

[lundysd]

Yall are correct -- after consulting a few ID sources earlier today, I confirmed that it was a sailfin sculpin. Cool lookin fish