Is this a sculpin of some kind?

[GetWet]

Diving at Octopus hole 7/31/2010, saw this guy at about 30 feet. I'm not the best photographer, so sorry, this is the best pic I got. Anyone know what it is?

[cardiver]

Diving at Octopus hole 7/31/2010, saw this guy at about 30 feet. I'm not the best photographer, so sorry, this is the best pic I got. Anyone know what it is?

CIMG2455.JPG

Cabezon?

[GetWet]

My son just suggested a Plainfin Midshipman?

[cardiver]

Diving at Octopus hole 7/31/2010, saw this guy at about 30 feet. I'm not the best photographer, so sorry, this is the best pic I got. Anyone know what it is?

CIMG2455.JPG

Cabezon?

After further review (and a cup of coffee) I believe that your son is correct!

[dphershman]

yes, that's a Plainfin Midshipman or, 'Singing Toadfish'. They hum like crazy!

[GetWet]

Can you hear them underwater, even with scuba?

[nwscubamom]

Never heard them underwater, but the males come up into the shallows each year to guard egg masses that are laid in the intertidal zone. They're usually found under boulders and in crevices. They can do this weird humming noise to attract mates. Hood Canal seems to get a LOT of them and the males die off, do don't be surprised when you see some dead ones soon.

- Janna

[Biodiversity_Guy]

And if you dive Sund Rock at twilight or later, you may see 1-2 inch long youngsters floating a couple of feet above the bottom.