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DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME 



Photo by Al Johns for 

 Vernon M. Haden, San Pedro 



KELPFISH 

 Heferostichus rostrafus 



Relationship: A member of one of the blenny families, Clinidae. Several species 

 of small fish belong to this family, some of which are common in tide pools. 



Distinguishing Characters: The ventral fins which have one spine and three 

 rays and which are inserted in advance of the pectoral fins ; the long dorsal fin with 

 many more spines than rays ; the projecting lower jaw ; the forked tail. Length to 

 about 16 inches'. Color: Highly variable, the shades ranging from brown, green or 

 purplish to blackish ; usually barred or blotched, sometimes uniform. 



Distribution: British Columbia south into Lower California. A common inshore 

 form around kelp. 



Fishing Season: Not the object of a fishery. 



Importance: None. Caught fairly frequently by both sport and commercial 

 fishermen. 



