Hemilepidotus spinosus Ayres, 1854
Brown Irish lord
Hemilepidotus spinosus
photo by Bauder, C.

Family:  Cottidae (Sculpins)
Max. size:  29 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 780 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Puffin Bay, southeastern Alaska to Santa Barbara Island, southern California, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-20; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 14-16; Vertebrae: 35-35. Dorsal deeply notched between third and fourth spine, and between spinous and rayed portions; caudal rounded (Ref. 6885). Color brown, often tinged with red on dorsal surface, mottled and barred with 4 dark saddles over dorsal surface (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  Occurs in intertidal areas and down to at least 130 or 780 m depth (Ref. 5515). Usually found in subtidal areas of exposed coasts (Ref. 2850). Feeds on crustaceans (Ref. 6885).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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