grunt sculpin

Rhamphocottus richardsonii

Vibrates inside barnacle shell

Temperate
Northern Hemisphere
Regional distribution
Marine fish
Pacific Ocean
East Asia
North America
Small
Temperate fish

The grunt sculpin or grunt-fish (Rhamphocottus richardsonii) is a small fish mainly found in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The grunt sculpin generally remains close to shore and is often found in empty giant barnacle shells. The common name comes from reports that the fish vibrate or "grunt" when held.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Perches and Allies
Family: Rhamphocottidae
Genus: Rhamphocottus
Maximum length: 8.9 cm
Water: Marine
Distribution: North Pacific: Japan to Alaska and at least Santa Monica Bay, southern California, USA.
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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