Family Liparidae - snailfishes
Snailfishes are typically less than 30cm and occur worldwide including the arctic and antarctic. The depths at which these fishes can be found ranges from tidepools to over 1500meters. Their pelvic fins have been modified into a sucking disk allowing them to cling to rocks and other substrate.
Slipskin snailfish- Liparis fucensis
Remarks: A bottom dwelling species residing in the channels and mud flats.
Identification: Dorsal and anal fins long, nearly connecting to the caudal fin. Body color varies but is usually olive brown to dark brown; maximum length 18cm.
Range: Aleutian islands to central California form intertidal zones to 388m.
Showy snailfish- Liparis pulchellus
Remarks: Resides in the channels and mud flats year round. Many times found under mats of kelp or eelgrass during minus tides.
Identification: Pelvic fins form a sucking disk and the dorsal and anal fins connect to the caudal. Coloration varies but most are brown with horizontal wavy lines; some lack wavy lines. Length to 25cm.
Range: Bering Sea to Monterey Bay from the tidepools to 183m.
Ringtail snailfish- Liparis rutteri
Remarks: Observed only once within the bay.
Identification: Gill slit is small. Pelvic fins form a disk. Dorsal and anal fins terminate at origin of the caudal fin. A white band encircles the end of the caudal peduncle. Body is brown to black with darker spotting; to a length of 16cm.
Range: The Bering Sea to San Francisco; intertidal zones to 73m.