greenlings

lingcod

Scientific name: Ophiodon elongatus

Family: Hexagrammidae

Phylum: Chordata

Typical size: 1.5 meters

Depth range: 10 to 100 meters

Description: These fish grow to be one of the largest fish in Puget Sound due to the protected area at Edmonds. Despite their name, lingcod are a species of greenling, not cod. Their heads are elongated and body color varies between green, dark grey, and brown with spots. Image shows a juvenile.

Habitat and behavior: Adult lingcod can be found by rocks and reef structures, and juveniles are also found in eelgrass. The adult lingcods nest in the winter, and become very aggressive when they are on the egg nests. Usually the males guard the nests after females lay the eggs. Lingcod are known to have cleaner fish such as the longfin sculpin, scalyhead sculpin, and coon-stripe shrimp. They lay on the bottom in what is believed to be “cleaning stations” with their mouths wide open to signal to their cleaning symbionts. They often have parasites on their body and can grow large tumors in their mouth. 

painted greenling

Scientific name: Oxylebius pictus

Family: Hexagrammidae

Phylum: Chordata

Typical size: 15 to 20 centimeters

Depth range: 0 to 50 meters

Description: Snout is small and elongated. Long, flat body is white or black in color with 5 to 7 red or brown stripes.

Habitat and behavior: Found in rocky areas, structures, or near any kind of vegetation. Commonly found sitting on rocks/structures during the day. At night, painted greenlings seek shelter around anemones, including the fish eating anemone Urticina piscivora which it has a symbiotic relationship with, as it is resistant to the anemones stinging cells. During mating, male painted greenlings change from white with red stripes to black with obscured red stripes to signal other males to stay away from their territory. Darkened individuals also have apparent white dots. They feed on small crustaceans, polychaete worms, molluscs, and bryozoans. 

white spotted greenling

Scientific name: Hexagrammos stelleri

Family: Hexagrammidae

Phylum: Chordata

Typical size: Up to 50 centimeters

Depth range: 5 to 30 meters

Description: White or yellowish-cream colored body with small red and orange speckles, white underside. Fins are a golden color and eyes are red.

Habitat and behavior: Commonly found in areas with eelgrass, on red algae and sometimes near rocks. Males guard egg masses during the winter, can be aggressive toward divers. Possibly clean small crustaceans off eggs by swimming over egg mass.