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December
2009
photo © 2009 Todd Cliff
Cloud
Sponge
Aphrocallistes vastus
Porifera Phylum
Description:
Part of the Glass Sponge Class Hexactinellida, this fragile, deep water
sponge has massive tubular structures that cover rock walls and other
formations.
Color: Cloud Sponge colors range
from white to dark yellow.
Range: Bering Sea to Mexico
Size: Up to 10 feet (3 m) in diameter
Hangouts/Habitat: In inlets, on
rock walls and ledges. Locally in Hood Canal at sites such as Flagpole
Point, and in many locations in BC.
Depth: Depths to 80 feet and deeper.
Behavior: Well, it's a sponge enough
said. It filters out sea water for food and life.
Growth: Cloud Sponge has a slow
growth rate and some live to be very old. Experts suggest some are over
a hundred years old.
Comments: Cloud Sponge are delicate
animals that need to be given the utmost care when diving near. One
misplaced fin kick could wipe out something it took a century to create.
The cavities are hiding places for critters such as juvenile rockfish,
crabs and various shrimp.
I.D. Clues: If you are below 80
feet and see a massive, white to dark yellow, billowy looking critter
than most likely you found yourself a Cloud Sponge or you could be narc'd!
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Contributed by Todd Cliff, REEF PNW AAT, level 5
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November
2009
photo © 2009 Claude Nichols
China
Rockfish
Sebastes nebulosus
Member of the Scorpionfish Family
Alternate
Names: Yellowstripe Rockfish
Description:
Medium sized rockfish found along outer coastal areas
Color: Bluish black to black background,
with yellow spots and speckles on head and body. A yellow stripe starts
from about the second or third foredorsal spine and extends downward
in a curve backwards along the lateral line to the tail. The stripe
may be broken by some black often near the lateral line.
Range: Southeast Alaska to California
along exposed coastlines from about 10fsw to beyond recreational diving
limits.
Size: Usually 8"-14" but
can be as large as 18"
Habitat: Found usually in rocky
inshore habitats along exposed coastlines, preferring rocky outcrops
with boulder fields and crevices. Found on the west coast of Vancouver
Island, and inland to Neah Bay but not in Puget Sound. Also found along
the Washington, and Oregon coastline. They can occasionally be seen
along the northern to central California coastline.
Behavior: Solitary and territorial.
They do not range far (30-40 feet) from their home. They tend to be
fairly skittish and hide in a hole in the rocks when approached. They
will perch on rocks with their pectoral fins out.
Prey: They feed on brittle stars,
chitons, crabs and shrimp.
Might be confused with: Some less
experienced identifiers confuse with Quillback rockfish. Quillbacks
have a darker brown to black back including back dorsal and tailfin.
Their yellow blotches are only on the front. Although they can have
yellow on the foredorsal it does not extend to the tail. Quillbacks
have deeper notches on the foredorsal spines.
Other tidbits: China rockfish live
to beyond 79 years. They can spawn at age 6. Spawning occurs from January
to July with a January peak. Their name came from the supposed preference
by Asians along the west coast for these fish. They are popular in Asian
markets today. The venom of their spines is mildly toxic to humans.
ID Clues: Think of the yellow marking
as a Nike swoosh and remember that Nikes are made in China.
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Contributed by Claude Nichols, REEF PNW AAT, level 5
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October
2009
photo © 2009 Jeanne Luce
Mosshead
Warbonnet
Chirolophis nugator
Prickleback Family
Description/color:
Very distinctive! Numerous cirri on head to dorsal fin. Row of pale
to white, darkly outlined bars on lower sides. Males have about 12 dark,
goldish ringed spots on dorsal fin, females have 12 dark bars on dorsal
fin. They occur in mottled shads of brown. There is a dark bar below
the eye, and several more may occur on gill cover. Have ventral fins.
Dorsal and anal fin are separated from a rounded tail by a shallow notch.
The long anal fin is about three-fourths the length of the dorsal.
Range: Occasional Aleutian Islands,
Alaska, to southern California
Size: 2-4 in, max 6 in
Hangouts/Habitat: Inhabit shallow
areas with numerous small protective recesses, including debris under
docks. Often perch in small opening with only their heads extended;
favorite haunts include tube worm holes, empty shells, small crevices,
bottles, and cans.
Depth: 0-260 ft
Behavior: Shy; dart deep into recess
when closely approached. May allow close view with slow nonthreatening
movements, but, once frightened, rarely appear from hiding.
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Contributed by Jeanne Luce, REEF PNW Advanced Assessment Team
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September
2009
photo © 2009 Mary Jo Adams
Green
Sea Urchin
Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis
Phylum: Echinoderm
Description:
Has short and densely packed light green spines radiating from the test
(skeleton). The threadlike tubefeet are dark purplish.
Size: to 4 inches in diameter
Range: Ranges from Alaska to Washington
on the West Coast of U.S. Also found on East Coast of U.S. and in Europe
Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats
including rocky shores, areas of soft sediment, kelp beds, on floats,
and on pilings
Depth: Intertidal to a depth of
427 feet in Pacific waters. Has been reported to depths of almost 4000
feet in the Atlantic Ocean.
Diet: Feeds primarily on algae,
preferring kelp but also consuming green seaweed and diatoms. Uses an
interesting feeding apparatus called Aristotle's lantern.
Reproduction: Reproduces by broadcast
spawning. This takes place along Washington shores from Jan. to June
with peak in March and April
Predators: Sunflower and morning
sun stars, Oregon triton, river and sea otters, ducks, gulls, ravens,
and crows.
Other cool facts: The tongue twisting
genus name Strongylocentrotus means "ball of spines". The
species name droebachiensis honors the name of the Norwegian fjord where
this urchin was first described.
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Contributed by Mary Jo Adams, REEF PNW Advanced Assessment Team
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August
2009
photo © 2009 Janna Nichols
Speckled
Sanddab
Citharichthys stigmaeus
Left Eye Flounder Family
Description:
The sanddab has a flat, somewhat oval body with both eyes on the left
side, usually resting on the flattened right side. Unique to the flounder
family is that shortly after birth, the bilaterally symmetrical fish
actually transforms to have both eyes on one side of the head, and for
sanddabs, usually the left side. An eye migrates through a slit in the
head and settles next to the eye on the other side. (How cool is that?)
ID tips: The sanddab has a straight
lateral line (the only left eyed flounder that does), a short pectoral
fin that is less than the distance between its base and mid-eye, and
is likely to have profuse black speckles and/or blotches.
Color: The speckled sanddab is a
master of color camouflage to match its surroundings. That said, it
is usually shades of brown, often mottled or blotched with dark brown,
and white spots or blotches.
Distribution: Common from southern
Alaska to southern California, can also be found south to southern Baja.
Size: 3-6 inches in length, maximum
length of 7 inches.
Hangouts:
In sand, gravel and/or shell rubble flats. You will find it resting
on the bottom, blending its color to match the surrounding bottom material.
Occasionally burrow in substrate so only the eyes are obvious.
Depth: Generally between 20 and
60 feet.
Behavior: Speckled sanddabs seem
to rely on their ability to blend their color with their surroundings
and remain still. However the sanddab will bolt when startled or approached
and find a new place to hide within a short distance. If you approach
very slowly it might be possible to get a closer look or snap photos.
Spotting Hints: Pay attention to
"outlines" in the sand/gravel/shell bottom when diving over
those areas in the recommended depth range. Look for a "disturbance"
in the substrate with two eyes at one end. Careful not to "step"
on them!
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Contributed by Jackie De Haven, REEF level 5
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July
2009
photo © 2009 Pete Naylor
Strawberry
Anemone
Corynactis californica
Cnidarian Phylum
Also
known as: Club-tipped Anemone
Description: Small anemone with
solid color on column and disc - numerous tentacles with less color
saturation terminated by white ball-shaped tips.
Color: Varying shades of pink, red,
peach, mauve pastels.
Distribution: Northern BC to northern
Mexico.
Size: To 1 inch in diameter.
Habitat: Rocky structure in consistently
current or surge swept locales.
Depth: Low intertidal to 150 ft.
Natural History: These anemones
reproduce by cloning - individuals quickly become surrounded by a vast
carpet of others of matching color. Where colonies meet a battle line
develops where there is strong competition for resources.
Spotting Hints: Strawberry Anemones
are a signature of many coastal sites - inside of Vancouver Island,
such as in the San Juans, they are not as commonly encountered. Some
popular sites are known for their Strawberry Anemones - if searching
elsewhere, consider rocky vertical structure in areas known for heavy
current.
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contributed by Pete Naylor, REEF Level 5
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June
2009
photo © 2009 Pete Naylor
Yellowtail Rockfish
Sebastes flavidus
Scorpionfish Family
Description:
Typical rockfish profile - bass-like body shape with large head and
eyes, stocky mid section and powerful tail. Body is compressed horizontally
- cross-section is tall and narrow rather than rounded or flattened.
Color: Dark brown/green/grey in
base with yellow tint especially on fins. Several pale spots in a row
below dorsal fin, and dark speckling on sides.
Distribution: Common to occasional
Alaska to central California - rare in southern California.
Size: To 26 inches in length.
Hangouts: In open water around rocky
structure and walls.
Depth: Surface to 900 ft.
Behavior: Most commonly seen in
compact schools mid-column, but occasional individuals are found resting
in rocky crevices. At night the resting behavior is more typical. Schools
often intermix with (very similar) Black Rockfish. Generally quite wary
of divers, and easily spooked - but a quiet diver who makes efforts
to mingle with the school can often hang in the current within arms
reach.
Spotting Hints: Seek out rocky structure
which interrupts flow in heavy current areas (points, reefs, pinnacles
etc especially with kelp nearby) and try drifting by the area - be sure
to swim up and away from the structure and look behind you - out into
the open water. These fish can be difficult to distinguish from Black
Rockfish - with a light the yellow tint should be quite visible - but
otherwise look at the rear edge of the anal fin, which will be straight-edged
(rounded on a Black Rockfish). When seen schooling together, the differences
are obvious.
- contributed
by Pete Naylor, REEF Level 5
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May
2009
photo © 2009 Valerie Lyttle
Spot
Prawn
Pandalus platyceros
Arthropod Phylum
These
are large shrimp (largest amongst the northern shrimp species) with
bodies ranging from 2.5 inches up to 10 inches long. Their size and
characteristic white spots on the 1st and 5th segments of the abdomen
and white stripes along the carapace make these guys easy to identify.
Colors are typically the reddish/brownish hue common to many of our
shrimp, but juveniles can also be green if they are living in algae/eel
grass areas. Their range covers the entire length of the North American
coast and they can be found from shallow to deep (past recreational
depths) waters, especially at night, when they come out to forage.
References:
- Whelks
to Whales by Rick Harbo
- Pacific
Coast Crabs and Shrimps by Gregory Jensen
- Marine
Life of the Pacific Northwest by Andy Lamb
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contributed by Valerie Lyttle, REEF Level 5
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April
2009
photo © 2009 Janna Nichols
Saddleback
Gunnel
Pholis ornata
Gunnel Family
Description:
This fish is small and eel-like with a long, laterally compressed (narrow)
body. The dorsal fin is long, extending from the head to the caudal
or tail fin. The dorsal and anal fins are continuous with the caudal
fin. This fish has no lateral line. The saddleback is distinguished
from other gunnels by black U-shaped or V-shaped marks along the base
of the dorsal fin, dusky or dark rectangular blotches along the side,
and a dark bar below each eye.
Color: Variable, ranging from olive-green
to brown with yellow, orange, or red ventral (lower) areas. Some fish
have orange caudal, anal, and pectoral fins.
Range: Central California to Alaska
and Korea.
Size: Typically 4" to 9".
Habitat: Primarily on muddy bottoms,
especially in eelgrass beds or leafy algae. Also under rocks or in protective
recesses including jars, cans, tires, and other human debris often found
near docks or jetties.
Depth: From the shoreline to 120
feet; usually shallower than 40 feet.
Behavior: Secretive and wary. During
daytime, entwines itself among marine plants or hides under or in scattered
rocks, logs or human debris; retreats into tangles or recesses when
approached. Divers should approach slowly and without sudden movements
to avoid spooking the animal. More commonly found in the open at night.
Feeds on: small mollusks and crustaceans.
Spawning: occurs in late winter
or early spring. The small, round egg clusters are guarded by both parents.
ID Clues: Look for the series of
U- or V-shaped dark markings below the dorsal fin on this eel-like fish.
Also note the dark bar below each eye, and a row of dark rectangular
blotches along the side.
Comments: A handsome fish that adds
pizzazz to any dive. Gunnels can be confused with pricklebacks. The
latter usually have a longer anal fin (more than ½ the fish's
length) or more elaborate structures on their heads such as "cockscombs"
or "warbonnets."
References:
Eschmeyer/Herald/Hamman. 1983. A field guide to Pacific coast fishes
of North America.
Lamb/Edgell. 1986. Coastal fishes of the Pacific Northwest.
Humann. 1996. Coastal fish identification, California to Alaska.
Hart. 1973. Pacific fishes of Canada.
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contributed by Reg Reisenbichler, REEF Level 5
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March
2009
photo © 2009 Claude Nichols
Orange
Cup Coral
Balanophyllia elegans
Cnidarian Phylum
Description:
Looks like a bright orange coral polyp with short, nearly transparent
tentacles sitting in a calcareous cup. Where did they ever dream up
the name?
Color: Bright orange.
Range: Alaska to central Baja California.
Size: Up to about 1/2" high
and 1" diameter, solitary within cup but often found in groups.
Habitat: Rocky or artificial reef
areas since they attach to rocks.
Depth: Intertidal - 160 ft.
Behavior: They are well behaved
and just sit there. They are easy to photograph since they do not move
or even close down when approached, although the polyp can retract into
the cup.
ID Clues: They are easy to identify
but can be confused with Strawberry anemones. Strawberry anemone lack
the cup that Orange cup coral have and are more red to pink in color.
Also Strawberry anemone tend to be in larger clusters while Orange cup
corals are more orange as not as tightly grouped. Orange cup coral could
also be confused with the less common (more common in BC and CA) Brown
cup coral (Paracyathus stearnsi). The Brown cup coral is larger, oval
rather than round and has darker orange-to-brown color.
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contributed by Claude Nichols, REEF Level 5
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February
2009
photo © 2009 Janna Nichols
Pile
Perch
Rachochilus vacca
Surfperch family
Description:
Has typical deep bodied perch shape with a dusky bar midway along the
side of the body. The anterior portion of the dorsal fin is spiny and
lower than the soft posterior segment. Look for a dark spot behind the
corner of the mouth and a deeply forked tail.
Color: Silvery gray or occasionally
brown. Males turn very dark, almost black during mating season
Range:
Southeast Alaska to central Baja
Size: to 17.4 inches
Habitat: Watch
for this species around rocky reefs, near pilings and other structures,
and also among kelp
Depth: While the pile perch has
been found at depths to 150 feet, it is most common at 10-65 feet.
Behavior: May be solitary, in small
congregations, or less commonly in large schools. Usually retreats from
divers.
Diet: Feeds on limpets, mussels,
barnacles, crabs, and other hard shelled invertebrates. The pile perch
has pharyngeal teeth that allow it to crush their shells.
Predators: Harbor seals, northern
elephant seals, cormorants
ID clues: Look for the dark bar
on the side, the dark spot behind the corner of the mouth, and a deeply
forked tail. There are no other fish in the Pacific Northwest that closely
resemble the pile perch but if you dive in California, you may have
to differentiate it from the rubberlip seaperch and sargo. Although
these species have a similar shape with a bar on the side of the body,
they lack the dark spot behind the mouth and the deeply forked tail
of the pile perch.
Cool facts: Pile perch can live
9 years. They give birth to live young.
- contributed
by Mary Jo Adams, REEF Level 5
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January
2009
photo © 2009 Janna Nichols
Fish
Eating Anemone
Urticina piscivora
Cnidarian Phylum
Other
Common Names:
Rose Anemone, Velvety Red Anemone, Fish-eating Tealia.
Description:
This tall anemone sports a smooth maroon column that lacks any other
markings, unlike that of its cousin, the White Spotted Anemone (Urticina
lofotensis). The oral disk can often be found ranging in color from
white to red.
Range:
Alaska to southern California.
Size:
This anemone can reach a height of up to 8 inches (20cm) and a diameter
of up to 10 inches (25cm).
Hangouts/Habitat:
This species usually prefers current swept rocky terrain.
Depth:
Subtidaly to depths of up to 160ft (48m).
Likes
to munch on: Invertebrates and small fish.
ID
Clues:
Smooth, velvety maroon column with no markings and a red or white oral
disk. Can be confused with the Painted Anemone (which has small bumps
on the column, instead of being smooth, and shorter banded tentacles).
Other
Cool Facts:
Juvenile Painted Greenling (Oxylebius pictus) have been known to find
safe haven within the protective stinging tentacles of the Fish Eating
Anemone, much like clownfish do in the warm waters of the Indo Pacific
oceans.
- contributed
by Nick Brown REEF Level 5
