Kelp greenling, greenling sea trout, rock trout, kelp cod • Hexagrammos decagrammus
{Hexagrammos = six line; decagrammus = ten line - both references to the lateral lines on each side of the body}
Male (right) and female kelp greenlings. Photos by, clockwise from top: Julia Fisher, Tristan Blaine, Josh Silberg, and Wiebe Nijland.
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Identification
The female and male of this species are different colours and can both vary in colour. The female is blue or grey to golden or brown, with rows of round orange-brown spots and bright yellow to orange fins. The male is brownish-olive to grey, with irregularly-shaped blue spots lined with black on its back and head. Both female and male have a a small bushy projection (cirrus) above each eye. This species gets to 60 cm long. See more photos on the FishBase species page.
Habitat & Range
The kelp greenling can be found in kelp beds and rocky shorelines from the intertidal to a depth of 45 m, though they are most commonly seen at a depth of less than 15 m. Its range extends from the Aleutian Islands to southern California.
Human Uses
The kelp greenling is a popular catch of bait fishermen as it readily bites at most types of bait. Commercial interest in this species is increasing. Click here for a recipe suggestion and more photos.
Intriguing Info
The kelp greenling feeds on molluscs, brittle stars, small fish, worms, and crustaceans. Young kelp greenlings are preyed upon by salmon and steelhead.
Due to the different colouring of males and females, which is unusual in fish, the kelp greenling was once thought to be two different species.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/68596-Hexagrammos-decagrammus
The female and male of this species are different colours and can both vary in colour. The female is blue or grey to golden or brown, with rows of round orange-brown spots and bright yellow to orange fins. The male is brownish-olive to grey, with irregularly-shaped blue spots lined with black on its back and head. Both female and male have a a small bushy projection (cirrus) above each eye. This species gets to 60 cm long. See more photos on the FishBase species page.
Habitat & Range
The kelp greenling can be found in kelp beds and rocky shorelines from the intertidal to a depth of 45 m, though they are most commonly seen at a depth of less than 15 m. Its range extends from the Aleutian Islands to southern California.
Human Uses
The kelp greenling is a popular catch of bait fishermen as it readily bites at most types of bait. Commercial interest in this species is increasing. Click here for a recipe suggestion and more photos.
Intriguing Info
The kelp greenling feeds on molluscs, brittle stars, small fish, worms, and crustaceans. Young kelp greenlings are preyed upon by salmon and steelhead.
Due to the different colouring of males and females, which is unusual in fish, the kelp greenling was once thought to be two different species.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/68596-Hexagrammos-decagrammus
References
Froese, R. and Luna, S.M. Hexagrammos decagrammus (Pallas, 1810). FishBase. Accessed 19/11/2014.
Harbo, R. M. (1999). Whelks to whales: Coastal marine life of the Pacific Northwest. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. P. 221.
Kelp Greenling. Oregon Coast Aquarium Newport. Accessed 19/11/2014.
Lamb, A. and Edgell, P. Coastal Fishes of the Pacific Northwest. Revised. (2010). Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. Pp. 188-198.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell and Brian Starzomski (2014).
Froese, R. and Luna, S.M. Hexagrammos decagrammus (Pallas, 1810). FishBase. Accessed 19/11/2014.
Harbo, R. M. (1999). Whelks to whales: Coastal marine life of the Pacific Northwest. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. P. 221.
Kelp Greenling. Oregon Coast Aquarium Newport. Accessed 19/11/2014.
Lamb, A. and Edgell, P. Coastal Fishes of the Pacific Northwest. Revised. (2010). Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. Pp. 188-198.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell and Brian Starzomski (2014).