Bald Sculpin

Clinocottus recalvus

The bald sculpin is a marine fish notable for its wide, flattened head and tapering body. Its coloration consists of brown speckles interspersed with lighter reddish and white patches, providing effective camouflage in its rocky and tidal pool habitats. The fish features large eyes situated on the top of its head and a broad mouth equipped with small teeth. Its dorsal fins are characterized by 8 or 9 spines and 14 to 17 soft rays, while the anal fin has 10 to 13 soft rays. The pelvic fins include a single spine and three rays. This species can grow up to 13 cm in length. This species is distributed along the eastern Pacific coastline, from Brookings, Oregon to Baja California Sur. It is commonly found in tide pools and shallow rocky regions, often residing in waters less than 40 meters deep. Adapted to life in intertidal zones, bald sculpins can breathe air when exposed and will leave tide pools if conditions become unsuitable. Bald sculpins have an omnivorous diet, consuming both algae and small crustaceans and mollusks, which they capture through ambush tactics. They reproduce via internal fertilization and are oviparous, with females laying several batches of eggs annually. The eggs are deposited in crevices and on rocks, with their color possibly influenced by environmental conditions and the mother's diet. The IUCN has not assessed the conservation status of this species.