What is this mystery creature at EUP?

[bfann]

I'm usually pretty good at identifying the new animals I encounter using my field guide, but this particular snake/eel/other type of fish that Norris and I saw on Sunday has completely defied my attempts to identify it. Can any of the experts on the forum help me out? Thanks!

[ktb]

Quillfish?

[bfann]

That was the closest thing I could find in my field guide, but it looked like the head was the wrong shape.

[Penopolypants]

The head makes it look more like a bay pipefish.

[nwscubamom]

P-Pants is right, it's a Bay Pipefish. Related to Seahorses, really! They come in many color schemes, from Brown to brilliant green. You will usually only see a single one at a time, often hanging out near the surface. Males will hold the young 'uns in a pouch on their tummy, just like Seahorses do.

- Janna

[bfann]

Great, thanks for the help! This one was in about 30' of water and not anywhere near eelgrass (which is where I've read they typically hang out.) Must have gotten lost

[nwscubamom]

Yeah, sometimes they'll be found down on the bottom in that or other depths. Typically shallow, but not unheard of deeper. Isn't it a weird one when you first see them? Thanks for posting your photo!

- Janna

[Greg Jensen]

I'd say quillfish. Snout isn't long enough or the right shape for a pipefish, and it has the jutting lower jaw of a quillfish. It also looks like it has long dorsal and anal fins- the only large fin on a pipefish is the dorsal one.

[nwscubamom]

Oh my goodness! I stand totally corrected. Ignore me!

Now that I blow up the photo (which I should have done in the first place) I see there is no tail fin either! (which a Bay Pipefish would have). OK, DUH!

(actually, I just pull stuff like this every once in awhile to see if Greg is listening - and to give him ammunition with which to tease me incessantly)

- Janna

[John Rawlings]

(actually, I just pull stuff like this every once in awhile to see if Greg is listening - and to give him ammunition with which to tease me incessantly)

- Janna

Right.

[Grateful Diver]

For the OP ... tough to tell from the photo, but I'd guess quillfish.

This is a quillfish ...



This is a bay pipefish ...



... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[bfann]

Thanks Bob, after looking at your very nice pictures, I also think that I must have been looking at a quillfish. I really appreciate everyone's advice as well as the great reference shots. Now I have a better idea of some of the characteristics I should try and capture when I see an unfamiliar fish in the future.

[ktb]

Dang . . . I can't believe I was right.

[cardiver]

Dang . . . I can't believe I was right.

Me neither!

[Biodiversity_Guy]

I can't believe Janna was wrong

[Dashrynn]

I can't believe Janna was wrong

and i can't believe its not butter!

[rjarnold]

Anyone have any more photos of quillfish? They're needed for an artist to make drawings of this species.

[Tangfish]

I love these ID threads. Oh, and I can't believe Janna was mistaken either. Now her ID success rate is blemished forever at 99.999999999999% accurate!

[Grateful Diver]

Anyone have any more photos of quillfish? They're needed for an artist to make drawings of this species.

I have a few at home, Rachel ... they're not very good, since that was back when I had my first camera, but they do show it from different angles. Might be good enough to fill in the details for a drawing.

I'll look 'em up and e-mail 'em to ya this evening ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[rjarnold]

Anyone have any more photos of quillfish? They're needed for an artist to make drawings of this species.

I have a few at home, Rachel ... they're not very good, since that was back when I had my first camera, but they do show it from different angles. Might be good enough to fill in the details for a drawing.

I'll look 'em up and e-mail 'em to ya this evening ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

That'd be great, thanks! Could you send the one on this thread as well? The highest resolution you have would be great.

[Tom Nic]

And I've never seen a Pipefish in an "S" configuration like this picture. They aren't that "snakey".

That's my very scientific contribution to this amazing discussion.