Nautichthys robustus Peden, 1970
Shortmast sculpin

Family:  Agonidae (Poachers), subfamily: Hemitripterinae
Max. size:  8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 73 m
Distribution:  North Pacific: Attu Island, Alaska to northern Washington, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-21; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 14-15. Spinous dorsal short with anterior spines longest; caudal slightly rounded; pectorals rounded, lower 8 rays exserted, middle rays lengthened reaching anal insertion; pelvic fins reaching anus (Ref. 6885). Color pale brown, lighter ventrally; dark band through eye; eye and cirrus black; dorsal fins speckled, with spinous fin darker; usually 4 dark saddles across back, and dark band at base of caudal fin; posterior edge of caudal darker (Ref. 6885). Recognizable by having a combination of gill membranes fused to isthmus, strong longitudinal depression in occiput, scales embedded in papillae covering body except in axilla, moderate-sized spinous dorsal, second dorsal with fewer than 22 rays, and a black band through eye (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  Occurs near shore and to 73 m depth, on sand and rock bottoms and shallow exposed areas (Ref. 2850).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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