Home · Hexagrammidae · Greenling
Greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) — Hexagrammidae

Greenling

Hexagrammos decagrammus
Family: Hexagrammidae
LC · Least Concern

The Greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) is a saltwater fish of the family Hexagrammidae that grows up to 61 cm.

Length
61 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–46.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The kelp greenling is a greenling (Hexagrammidae) from the northeastern Pacific off the west coast of North America. The species has an elongate body with a long dorsal fin; males and females differ strongly in colour, with blue spots in males and orange-brown spots in females. It inhabits rocky coastal areas and is common in kelp forests, but also occurs on sand bottoms. As a bottom predator it feeds on crustaceans, polychaete worms, molluscs and small fishes. It is a sport and food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Greenling?

The Greenling has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Greenling live?

The Greenling lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Greenling get?

The Greenling grows to a maximum of about 61 cm.

Is the Greenling dangerous to humans?

No, the Greenling is harmless to humans.

Is the Greenling edible?

Yes, the Greenling is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kelp-groenling sourced
English name
Greenling verified
Scientific name
Hexagrammos decagrammus
Family
Hexagrammidae
Other names
Kelp greenling verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
61.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
46.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
18.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hexagrammos

More from the family Hexagrammidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →