Unknown Calif. kelp fish

[stuart wilson]

I photographed this fish near Cayucos, Calif., just north of Morro Bay. The closest guess I have come up with is Scalyhead Sculpin, Artedius harringtoni. But it just doesn't look like a sculpin. Any ideas??

 

[tc]

Looks kinda like a giant kelpfish-

Golden State Images

 

[stuart wilson]

Thanks, TC. That looks like a good match.
Regards, Stuart

 

[tc]

You're welcome, I'm definitely not an expert, I'm sure they'll chime in.

Shape looks right, I've never seen a red one down in socal though.

 

[spoolin01]

Looks like Gibbonsia species kelpfish, not Giant maybe. Eyes are pretty close to dorsal fin for Giant. Here's one Gibbonsia:
CalPhotos: Gibbonsia montereyensis; Crevice Kelpfish

 

[Thalassamania]

I'd agree, Gibbonsia montereyensis.

 

[stuart wilson]

G. montereyensis does look like a better match. Thanks guys!

 

[drbill]

Beat me to it. One of the easiest ways to distinguish the Gibbonsia kelpfish from the giant kelpfish (Heterostichus rostratus) is the type of tail. Gibbonsia have round tails while Hetrostichus is forked.

 

[stuart wilson]

Thanks, Dr. Bill. I checked and this one does have a rounded tail. Stuart

 

[Thalassamania]

Beat me to it. One of the easiest ways to distinguish the Gibbonsia kelpfish from the giant kelpfish (Heterostichus rostratus) is the type of tail. Gibbonsia have round tails while Hetrostichus is forked.

Thanks, good to know the distinguishing charateristic. I hate relying on the old, "I think it looks like ..."