Mosshead Sculpin: The Air-Breathing Fish That Lives in Tidepools

The mosshead sculpin is a common bottom dwelling fish that inhabits cool temperate waters from Alaska to Southern California. These fish can be found on the coast in rocky tidepools of the intertidal zone, along with subtidal areas to 144 ft (44 m) deep. They are often found in areas of strong surf. They have a large head and their body may be reddish-brown, gray, black, or olive on the back, and yellow or brown below, with heavy mottling on their sides. They have fanlike pectoral fins. They have dense cirri on their head. Adults exhibit strong site-fidelity,

returning to the same tidepool over a long period of time. They are most often found sheltering under rocks or seaweed, but they may also be spotted out of water on rocks. Mosshead sculpins are capable of breathing air. They are known to leave the water when conditions become hypoxic or otherwise inhospitable. They have a broad diet of algae and marine invertebrates such as crustaceans and worms, but they will most often selectively forage on sea anemones. They can grow to about 7 in (19 cm) long. For more marine facts, click the SUBSCRIBE button!