Other fishes

blackeyed goby

Scientific name: Rhinogobiops Nicholsii

Family: Gobiidae

Phylum: Chordata

Typical size: 15 to 18 centimeters

Depth range: Intertidal areas up to 137 meters

Description: Their body is most often a light beige color with a few dark spots. The top of the first dorsal fin features a thick black edge. The goby gets its common name from its raised black eyes.

Habitat and behavior: Preferring to nest near rocks and in sandy areas, the black eyed goby can be found along the West Coast of the United States. They tend to stay close to their burrows because they are very territorial. The black eyed goby begins life as a female and later becomes a male. They eat molluscs, small crustaceans like shrimp, and amphipods.

pacific herring

Scientific name: Clupea pallasii

Family: Clupeidae

Phylum: Chordata 

Typical size: Up to 25 centimeters long

Depth range: Up to 400 meters

Description: They are a small fish that is blue/black on the top and silvery-white on the bottom. 

Habitat and behavior: Lives on both sides of the Pacific Ocean, from Alaska to Baja California. They are eaten by many other fish as they are often used as fishing bait. 

sandlance

Scientific name: Ammodytes hexapterus

Family: Ammodytidae 

Phylum: Chordata

Typical size: 7 to 15 centimeters

Depth range:  Up to 100 meters 

Description: They are small fish that are thin and silvery (blue, grey or green). They have a pointed snout and have diagonal creases that make it look textured. 

Habitat and behavior: Lives from the Bering sea to southern California.  They eat zooplankton and bury themselves in sand at night. They are commonly eaten by humpback whales, sharks, seals and seabirds. 

tubesnout

Scientific name: Aulorhynchus flavidus 

Family: Aulorhynchidae

Phylum: Chordata

Typical size: Up to 19 centimeters long

Depth range: 0 to 30 meters

Description: Dorsal, anal, and forked tail fins are translucent. It’s elongated slim body is a brownish, olive green, and yellowish color and reflective properties make it appear shiny. It has a long tube shaped snout and tiny mouth with long pectoral fins. 

Habitat and behavior: Generally found in shallow water around docks and pilings or in eelgrass beds, or rocky/sandy bottomed areas. They can also be spotted in large schools and stay towards the surface. Spherical red or orange eggs are laid on bull kelp at the base of blades.