A beautiful picture of a tidepool sculpin found at www.georgiastrait.org

Vital Signs:

Scientific Name: Oligocottus maculosus

Range: All along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Baja California

Length: Up to 4 inches (although I have never found one that large)

Habitat: These fish can be found primarily is habitats with a rocky substrate. I have found them in almost all of the site that we have visited. In my opinion they are one of the most common species of intertidal fish.

Fun Fish Fact: The tidepool sculpin is very difficult to catch. They blend in remarkably well to their surroundings. If you want to see one, try to walk around some rocky tidepools and look for quick precise movements. I would be willing to bet that you would see one within minutes.