COMMON MARINE FISHES 115 



Figure 86 Photo by Al Johns for 



Vernon M. Haden, San Pedro 



STAGHORN SCULPIN 

 Leptocotfus armatus 



Relationship: A member of the sciilpin family, Cottidae, which includes almost 

 one-tenth of California's marine fishes. Excepting this species and the cabezone, scul- 

 pins are small fishes of no commercial importance. Some of them are very abundant in 

 tide pools. 



Distinguishing Characters: The ventral fins with one spine and four rays (the 

 spine may be so closely attached to the first ray that it can be found only by dissection) ; 

 the bony support exteudins from the lower part of the eye back across the cheek just 

 under the skin ; the scaleless body ; the large, antler-like spine on the preopercle. Length 

 to about a foot. Color: Back, mottled olive-gray, green or brown; sides brassy, 

 bordered below by yellow ; belly white. Spiny dorsal with a black spot toward its end; 

 soft dorsal and anal fins with gray or green bars ; pectoral fins barred with yellow 

 and black. 



Distribution: Alaska to northern Lower California. Common close to shore and 

 in bays ; enters brackish and perhaps fresh water. 



Fishing Season: Caught occasionally throughout the year. 



Importance: A moderately important bait fish, particularly in bays. Of no 

 significance as either a market or game fish though it is caught fairly often by 

 sportsmen. 



Fishing Gear: Hook and line. 



Unauthorized Names: Armed sculpin, armed cabezone, bullhead. 



