Padded Sculpin

Artedius fenestralis

The padded sculpin is a small marine fish native to the eastern Pacific Ocean, ranging from the Alaska Peninsula to Southern California. It can grow up to 14 centimeters in length and is characterized by its elongated body and small pelvic fins. The dorsal fin is equipped with 8 to 9 spines and 16 to 18 soft rays, while the anal fin has 12 to 14 soft rays. This species is typically found in temperate marine environments, inhabiting depths from intertidal zones down to 55 meters, though most occurrences are shallower than 40 meters. Padded sculpins are demersal, meaning they live and feed near the sea floor. Their diet consists mainly of shrimp and small fishes. Divers encountering the padded sculpin may find them in rocky or temperate reef environments. As they are harmless to humans, these fish can be observed without concern. However, they are not evaluated for conservation status, so their population trends are currently unknown.