Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus
| Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Scorpaeniformes |
| Family: | Cottidae |
| Genus: | Hemilepidotus |
| Species: | H. hemilepidotus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus (Tilesius, 1811) [1] | |
Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus, commonly known as the red Irish lord (US) or bullhead, is a species of fish in the family Cottidae. It is found in the northern Pacific ocean, from Russia to Alaska and as far south as Monterey Bay.
Description
Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus has a maximum recorded length of 51.0 cm, and a maximum recorded weight of 1,110 grams.[2] It is predominantly red, with white, brown and black mottling and has 10-12 dorsal spines, 18-20 dorsal soft rays and 35 vertebrae.
Habitat and behavior
Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus lives in temperate, demersal marine environments between 66°N - 34°N. It usually lives close to rocky shores but can survive at depths as low as 450 meters. Adults feed on mussels, crabs, and barnacles. They are not harmful to humans, with the possible exception of injuring oneself on their various barbs and spines while handling one barehanded.
References
- ↑ Tilesius, W. G. von 1811 Piscium Camtschaticorum descriptiones et icones. Mémoires de l'Académie Impériale des Sciences de St. Petersbourg v. 3: 225-285, Pls. 8-13.
- ↑ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2008). "Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus" in FishBase. December 2008 version.
- "Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus (Tilesius, 1811)". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved December 2008.