Order

Perciformes/Zoarcoidei

  Class

Teleostei

No. in FishBase

Genera : 4 | Species : 15 Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes

  Environment

Fresh : No | Brackish : Yes | Marine : Yes

  Division

Marine

  Aquarium

none

  First Fossil Record

     

  Remark

Distribution: North Atlantic, Arctic and North Pacific. Body elongate and compressed. One dorsal fin, about two times longer than anal fin and extending from head to caudal fin. Dorsal fin with 73-100 stiff spines, anal fin with 1-3 spines in front of 32-53 soft rays; both fins reaching or confluent with base of caudal fin. Caudal fin rounded. Anal fin long, but shorter relative to body length than in pricklebacks. Pectoral fins absent in some gunnel species, minute or very small in others. Pelvic fins rudimentary, consisting of 1 spine and 1 ray; or absent, including pelvic girdle. No fleshy cirri on head or body. One pair of nostrils. Body covered with tiny, inconspicuous, mucus-covered cycloid scales. Mechanosensory canals of head opening through pores typically constant in number: nasal 2, occipital 3, interorbital 1, postorbital 6, suborbital 6, preopercular 5, and mandibular 4. Body lateral line represented by mediolateral row of superficial neuromasts, generally not discernible in preserved material. Teeth small and conical. Gill membranes broadly joined and free from the isthmus. Branchiostegal rays 5 or 6. Pyloric caeca absent. Ribs absent. Abdominal vertebrae with parapophyses united, forming hemal arches. Vertebrae 80-105. Coloration cryptic, from yellow and brown to red or green, often with spots, blotches, and bands. Attains total length of about 46 cm. Mainly inhabits rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal areas, especially among kelp and other macroalgae; often found under rocks or in tide pools in the intertidal zone. Feeds on small crustaceans and mollusks.

  Etymology

Greek, pholis, -idos = scale ( Ref. 45335).

  Reproductive guild

guarders

  Typical activity level

normal

  Main Ref.

Mecklenburg, C.W. 2003

  Coordinator

  Deep Fin Classification

Osteichthyes | Actinopterygii | Actinopteri | Neopterygii | Teleostei | Osteoglossocephalai | Clupeocephala | Euteleosteomorpha | Neoteleostei | Eurypterygia | Ctenosquamata | Acanthomorphata | Acanthopterygii | Percomorphaceae | Eupercaria | | | Perciformes | Cottoidei | Zoarcales | Pholidae