Roughback Sculpin

Chitonotus pugetensis

The roughback sculpin is a marine fish found in the eastern Pacific Ocean, ranging from Bahia Santa Maria in Baja California Sur, Mexico, to Trail Island in British Columbia, and possibly southeastern Alaska. It inhabits sandy, gravel, and rocky substrates in the intertidal zone down to depths of 144 meters. This species is characterized by an elongated body tapering towards a rounded caudal fin, with large scales covering its upper body, giving it a rough texture. Its coloration is typically brown and gray on the upper body, fading to white on the belly, with dark saddles and blotches along its back. During the breeding season, a red blotch appears on the first dorsal fin, which has a distinctive black margin. The roughback sculpin is a nocturnal ambush predator, primarily feeding on crustaceans, small fishes, polychaetes, and larvaceans. In southern California, it has a lengthy spawning season peaking in spring, while northern populations may have a more restricted season. Females can carry an average of 1043 eggs, with larger females being more fecund. Divers encountering the roughback sculpin might find it lying in wait on the ocean floor, blending in with its surroundings due to its cryptic coloration. It is harmless to humans and is sometimes displayed in public aquariums. Its conservation status has not been evaluated by the IUCN.