Rockweed Gunnel

Apodichthys fucorum

The Rockweed gunnel, sometimes called the Fucus blenny, is a ray-finned fish native to the eastern North Pacific Ocean. It features a slender, eel-like body that can appear translucent, with colors ranging from bright green to reddish-brown. These color variations are influenced by the surrounding seaweed and the amphipods they consume. The Rockweed gunnel is equipped with small fins and a rounded tail, reaching a maximum length of 23 cm. This species is distributed from Banks Island in British Columbia to Punta Escarpada in Baja California, Mexico. It resides in intertidal and demersal zones, typically at depths up to 9 meters. The Rockweed gunnel is commonly found in tide pools and coastal areas with abundant rockweed, where it blends in with its environment. Its diet mainly consists of small crustaceans and mollusks, though it occasionally consumes algae. Reproduction occurs in the winter months, with females laying eggs that may be guarded initially. The Rockweed gunnel can breathe air, allowing it to survive out of water for up to 20 hours if it remains moist, which aids in enduring low tide conditions. Despite facing predation from larger fish, birds, and mammals, it lacks an official conservation status and is not a primary focus for research.