Penpoint gunnel
The penpoint gunnel (Apodichthys flavidus) is a gunnel, a species of fish from the Pacific coast of North America, ranging from Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska to Santa Barbara Island in southern California.
| Penpoint gunnel | |
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| Penpoint gunnel near Seattle, WA | |
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| Genus: | Apodichthys |
| Species: | A. flavidus |
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| Apodichthys flavidus Girard, 1854 | |
The penpoint gunnel varies in shades of green, maroon, or brown. It is commonly 4–8 in (10–20 cm) long, though it can be up to 1.5 ft (46 cm). It most easily distinguished by the dark bar below each eye, as it is commonly found peeking out of a kelp bed or crevice. There is a row of dark and/or pale spots along the midbody and commonly a series of short, pale bar-like marking extending down from the top of the dorsal fin. The first spine of the anal fin is large and grooved like a fountain pen point. It has a continuous dorsal, tail and anal fins, but no ventral fins. The tail is defined by slightly longer rays. The anal fin is about half the length of the dorsal fin.
The penpoint gunnel is mainly found in intertidal areas at depths of 0–6 ft (0.0–1.8 m). It can sometimes be seen in tide pools, also in eelgrass beds, sea lettuce beds, and in stands of kelp. It commonly takes on the color of the vegetation it inhabits. If there is no vegetation (in winter, for example), it can also inhabit rocky areas, lurking under rocks and in protective crevices. However, it can also remain out of the water under rocks or seaweeds. The penpoint gunnel can breathe air when out of water.
Penpoint gunnels feed on small crustaceans and mollusks. Pairs are found coiled around egg masses.
References
- "Apodichthys flavidus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
- Paul Humann, Ned Deloach, (2008), Costal Fish Identification: California to Alaska, New World Publications, pp. 124–125.
- Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2010). "Apodichthys flavidus" in FishBase. January 2010 version.