I spotted this guy in about 20fsw on an evening dive at Three Tree North. I immediately knew that I had never seen this guy before, and that it was an uncommon species as far as diver observation for where I was diving.
When I got home I went straight for my Id books (a couple of which are mysteriously "missing", hmmm...) and it seems that this is a Spinyhead Sculpin, Dasycottus settiger if my eyes do not deceive me or if there is not newer info in one of the newer books that have been published.
Lamb & Hanby in Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest have this description - "A denizen of soft bottoms, this inconspicuous species is one of many creatures politely referred to as by-catch by commercial shrimp trawlers. Night divers venturing into silty situations are the only other folks likely to encounter its well camouflaged form."
Lamb & Edgell in Coastal Fishes of the PNW add this - "This species has bristles or cirri on its head and the larger the specimen the more cirri and the more bristly the appearance."
Both books say that the upper range for the size of these guys is "9 inches long". This one was about that long - he was NOT tiny! He was definitely not camera shy - here are the other shots i got of him, all of which show the bristly "stubble" cirri and the very cool spikes on his head, as well as the "blue" eye and the surrounding pattern.
New Critter For Me - Spinyhead Sculpin
New Critter For Me - Spinyhead Sculpin
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
Re: New Critter For Me - Spinyhead Sculpin
Wow cool sighting augmented by awesome pix! You da man!
http://dustys-lights.com/, An awesome light at an unbelievably low price
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Re: New Critter For Me - Spinyhead Sculpin
+1Dusty2 wrote:Wow cool sighting augmented by awesome pix! You da man!
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
- nwscubamom
- I've Got Gills
- Posts: 2315
- Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:13 am
Re: New Critter For Me - Spinyhead Sculpin
Wonderful photos, Tom! Nice to see that a few of these are being seen nowadays. Gotta get out and find me some!
- Janna
- Janna
Janna Nichols
My underwater photo galleries
REEF Citizen Science Program Manager
Seen any cool critters lately?
><((((°>
-----------------------------
My underwater photo galleries
REEF Citizen Science Program Manager
Seen any cool critters lately?
><((((°>
-----------------------------
Re: New Critter For Me - Spinyhead Sculpin
Thank you for the excellent photographs at a variety of angles -- things like that are SO helpful to someone who would like to recognize the critter if they ever come across it!
"Sometimes, when your world is going sideways, the second best thing to everything working out right, is knowing you are loved..." ljjames
Re: New Critter For Me - Spinyhead Sculpin
Thanks everyone - it is not often that you get to find and photograph a new critter!
I am being as intentional as I can abt photographing a critter I'm trying to I'D, ESPECIALLYa Sculpin, from as many angles as possible.
Fortunately this guy was as still as a stone and let me have my way until my buddies were swimming off!
I am being as intentional as I can abt photographing a critter I'm trying to I'D, ESPECIALLYa Sculpin, from as many angles as possible.
Fortunately this guy was as still as a stone and let me have my way until my buddies were swimming off!
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
-
- Extreme Diving Machine
- Posts: 449
- Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:30 pm
Re: New Critter For Me - Spinyhead Sculpin
Nice pics. Great find!
Re: New Critter For Me - Spinyhead Sculpin
I found a spinyhead sculpin diving Northwest Island yesterday. Wasn't sure what it was until I saw the pictures in this thread. Very different habitat from Tom's original sighting. 60ft deep, day dive, rocky ledge habitat. The sculpin I saw was smaller, maybe 5 inches long.
Re: New Critter For Me - Spinyhead Sculpin
What a cool find
Live Long And Prosper!!!
Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions.
Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions.