Fish Identification Help

[Soakedlontra]

I am trying to identify this fish:

I think it's a Scalyhead Sculpin...

Do you agree?

 

[Soakedlontra]

I cannot figure out the name of this flat fish:

Any suggestions?

 

[corglacier7]

Soaked, I was a fisheries observer in the Pacific/Bering, so I'm familiar with some of the fish. Unfortunately I'm not great with just eyeballing sculpins and ID'ing without digging out my reference manual.

But as to your flatfish, for a left-eyed flattie in the PacNW and based on the coloration and fins, that's a Pacific sanddab, Citharichthys sordidus.

 

[Soakedlontra]

Soaked, I was a fisheries observer in the Pacific/Bering, so I'm familiar with some of the fish. Unfortunately I'm not great with just eyeballing sculpins and ID'ing without digging out my reference manual.

But as to your flatfish, for a left-eyed flattie in the PacNW and based on the coloration and fins, that's a Pacific sanddab, Citharichthys sordidus.

Thanks! I still find hard to recognize a left from a right eye flatfish (my brain doesn't get it...). Regardless the sculpin a lot of times small sculpins all look the same!!

 

[TSandM]

Although the detail is hard to make out, I do think that's a scalyheaded sculpin.

 

[corglacier7]

Thanks! I still find hard to recognize a left from a right eye flatfish (my brain doesn't get it...). Regardless the sculpin a lot of times small sculpins all look the same!!

Well, the quick version on left vs right hand flats is to look which way the head is facing with the fish's face "right side up," mouth under the eyes, the way your photo shows it. See how the head's facing left?

 

[Soakedlontra]

Well, the quick version on left vs right hand flats is to look which way the head is facing with the fish's face "right side up," mouth under the eyes, the way your photo shows it. See how the head's facing left?

AH! I think I got it!

So looking at my picture for the right-eyed flatfish the head is where the tail is in the left-eyed with the mouth at the bottom?

 

[Soakedlontra]

Although the detail is hard to make out,

I know. If it hadn't moved I probably would not have spotted it at all!

I do think that's a scalyheaded sculpin.

Thanks!

 

[corglacier7]

AH! I think I got it!

So looking at my picture for the right-eyed flatfish the head is where the tail is in the left-eyed with the mouth at the bottom?

Yup! With the face oriented "normally" (i.e., eyes on top, mouth on bottom), a right-handed flatfish will have its head on the right and tail on the left, and a left-handed will be vice-versa.

So while your sanddab is a leftie, that's actually sort of rare in the PacNW. Most of the regional flatfish species are actually righties. Take a look at a pic of the likes of a Pacific halibut, rex sole, yellowfin sole, flathead sole, or rock sole and compare it to your Pacific sanddab, and you'll see the reversal of head 'n' tail.

Just hoping that on diving here I might see some winter flounder...

 

[Soakedlontra]

So while your sanddab is a leftie, that's actually sort of rare in the PacNW. Most of the regional flatfish species are actually righties.

That's why a REEF experienced fish surveyor was so puzzled by this fish.

Just hoping that on diving here I might see some winter flounder...

Winter flounder? Is that a new kind of fish?

I hope to see a six gill shark one of these days instead ..Well I wouldn't mind starting with a dog fish to begin with...

Good luck with your 'winter flounder'!

My last memorable underwater encounter was not with a fish but with tons of small transparent white ghost-like shrimps that swam backwards in a circle with their tiny legs like trapeze artists in a circus act. They were quite funny to watch. By the way have you ever seen these guys and do you know what they are? I am trying to identifying them.

Good night