Tidepool Snailfish

Liparis florae

The Tidepool Snailfish, belonging to the genus Liparis, is a small, elongated fish found in the eastern Pacific, ranging from the Bering Sea coast of Alaska to Point Conception in southern California. It thrives in temperate marine environments, often residing inshore within tide pools on exposed coasts. Divers are likely to encounter this species at shallow depths, typically between 0 and 10 meters, although it has been recorded at depths up to 40 meters. This species can grow up to 18.3 cm in length and is characterized by having no dorsal or anal spines, but numerous soft rays: 31 to 33 in the dorsal fin and 25 to 27 in the anal fin. Its body is elongated, which aids in its adaptation to the tide pool habitat. The Tidepool Snailfish is harmless to humans and holds no significant interest for fisheries. Its conservation status has not been evaluated by the IUCN, and it is generally considered harmless to humans.