Fish ID

[Coll]

When I can't dive, at least I can look back at pictures and remember. I was going through some and came across this one and realized I never got an ID on it, this guy was on the path between Hidden Beach and Breakwater sitting in the sand at about 30 feet. He wouldn't move, although he was alive and he was about an inch long at most. Looks like a juvenile something?

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

Juvie Bull Sculpin, I think.

 

[Tinytechie]

its a kelseyfish.....

 

[opisthobranch]

Juvie Bull Sculpin, I think.

Yeah, I think so too. Bull Sculpins have a long spine coming off the gill plate called a preopercular spine. This fish has that. The only other fish with a preopercular spine that long is the related buffalo sculpin which is more of a PNW species.

Clinton

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

BTW, I see these with great regularity muck diving the purple gravel beds in
mouth of whalers (past the kelp). The beds are fun because all the tiny critters
are trying to look like purple gravel.

I've seen a couple of bigger (fist size) bull sculpins there.