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April
2008
photo © 2008 Janna Nichols
Whitespotted
Anemone
Urticina
lofotensis
Phylum Cnidaria
Description
and color: Squat scarlet column with vertical rows of white
spots and long yellow tentacles with pink tips.
Range: SE Alaska to Southern California
AND Northern Atlantic coast
Size: Up to 6 inches high and wide
Hangouts: Usually found on exposed
rocky coast.
Depth: Intertidal - up to 50 feet
Behavior: The anemone is able to
extend its column and tentacles and carry captured food to its mouth.
When threatened the anemone will pull in all of it’s tentacles
resulting in a blob like appearance.
ID Clues: May appear like other
anemones but the white spots arranged in vertical lines are a dead give-away!
Don't confuse with the bumpy or protruding white spots
on the Columbia Sand Anemone, or on the Painted Anemone.
Comments: The juvenile painted greenling
is often associated with this anemone and when larger often sleeps at
it’s base at night.
- contributed
by Sarah Hillebrand, REEF Level 3
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March
2008
photo © 2008 Janna Nichols
Juvenile Yelloweye Rockfish
Sebastes
ruberrimus
Scorpionfish Family
Description
and color: Red, with white stripes. Fins edged in white.
Younger ones are darker, and turn more reddish orange as they get older.
(and lose their stripes too)
Range: Alaska to Northern Baja
Size: Juveniles are usually up to
about 8 inches long.
Hangouts: Deep! Love rocky reef
areas with cracks and overhangs and places to hide.
Depth: You won't usually see them
unless you're below about 80 feet.
Behavior: Shy, but will hang around
if you're stealthy and sneaky and just observe non-threateningly.
ID Clues: Bright to dark red with
beautiful white stripes! Nothing else like 'em!
Comments: The Adult Yelloweye Rockfish
usually dwells well below recreational diving limits, so chances of
you seeing one of them are slim. Juveniles are very cool to find!
- contributed
by Janna Nichols, REEF Level 5
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February
2008
photo © 2008 Janna Nichols
Giant
Barnacle
Balanus
nubilus
Arthropod Phylum
Description:
Looks just like a regular barnacle - on steroids! Often covered
with other marine growth, like sponges, hydroids or algae.
Color: White, unless covered with
other things
Range: Alaska to Southern California
Size: Up to about 5" high and
4" wide, often found in clusters
Hangouts: Need something hard to
attach to, so rocky or artificial reef areas. Love high current areas
(more food drifts by that way)
Depth: Intertidal - 300 ft.
Behavior: Watch next time you see
one and observe its feeding appendages (which are actually its legs!)
go in and out, grabbing little bits of yummy things to eat that are
drifting by.
ID Clues: Nothing else down there
looks like these - they're giant barnacles!
Comments: Empty giant barnacle shells
sometimes have Grunt or Scalyhead Sculpins, Mosshead Warbonnets, or
eggs hiding inside.
- contributed
by Janna Nichols, REEF Level 5
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January
2008
photo © 2008 Janna Nichols
Longfin
Gunnel
Pholis
clemensi
Gunnel Family
Description:
Long slender fish with regular markings on back
Color: Bright red, orange, or brownish
Range: SE Alaska to N. California
Size: 3-5 inches.
Hangouts: Rocky reef areas
Depth: 25 - 200 ft.
Behavior: Can be approached, but
when alarmed will dart off a short distance away and settle down again.
Sometimes will retreat into a rocky crack.
ID Clues: Vertical markings that
look something like a chain - often meeting with a horizontal line
Comments: Not seen as often as the
other gunnels, these are fun to spot!
- contributed
by Janna Nichols, REEF Level 5
