MASTERS OF THE WATER-BONY FISHES 277 



Identification: The color varies. In eelgrass, the ground color is green, and in 

 seaweed, it is brown. There are blotches and reticulations of green and brown 

 on the body. The flesh is green. The shape is like that of the Greenland sculpin. 



Hahits: This is a fish of shallow waters, where it lies among rocks and 

 vegetation. It ambushes fishes and crustaceans from its hiding place. 



TiDEPOOL sculpin: CUnocottus analis 



Size: Up to 7 inches. 



Distribution: Monterey to southern California. 



Identification: The color matches the environment. The shape is similar to that 

 of the Greenland sculpin. 



Hahits: This and the very many similar small sculpins of shallow, rocky 

 shores lie motionless to ambush all sorts of small animal prey. It lays its adhesive 

 eggs on or under rocks and guards therti until hatched. 



GREENLAND SCULPIN: Mjoxocefhalus scorfius 



Size: Up to 2 feet, but mostly much smaller. 



Distribution: The arctic south to Cape Cod, and possibly to New York. 



Identification: The separation of this fish from other sculpins is made on the 

 technical basis of the possession of fourteen anal fin rays and only moderately 

 long preopercular spines (see Breder, 1948). The color is mottled and variable. 



Habits: This is a very voracious fish-eater, which may, at times, be omnivorous, 

 eating any living thing it can swallow. It is sluggish and can even be touched 

 while in the water. A grumbling sound may be uttered which is produced by 

 muscles in the mouth and amplified by the throat cavity. Reddish, adhesive 

 eggs are deposited in winter among rocks in a spongy mass. The male broods 

 over them until they are hatched. 



Similar Species: There are many abundant East Coast species. Among these 

 is the sea raven, Hemitrif terns americanns, which has the dorsal fin spines 

 placed very high anteriorly. It can inflate to some extent like a puffer or a swell 

 shark when handled. It ranges from Labrador to the Chesapeake, being rare 

 south of Cape Cod. It is usually a dingy red to purplish, but some are yellow 

 and are viewed by superstitious fishermen as omens of foul or fair fortune, 

 depending on the locality (Breder, 1948). The sea raven grows to 2 feet but is 

 'rarely over 1 foot. 



