Home · Stichaeidae · Pale prickleback
Pale prickleback (Lumpenopsis hypochroma) — Stichaeidae

Pale prickleback

Lumpenopsis hypochroma
Family: Stichaeidae

The Pale prickleback (Lumpenopsis hypochroma) is a saltwater fish of the family Stichaeidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–100.0 m
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Canada, USA

Want the complete picture on the Pale prickleback?

Get the app

Description

The pale prickleback is an eel-like fish (Stichaeidae) from shallow coastal water of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, pale-brown body with a long, low dorsal fin of stiff spines and a smooth skin. As a bottom-dweller it shelters under stones, in crevices and among weed of rocky shores and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pale prickleback?

The Pale prickleback has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Pale prickleback live?

The Pale prickleback lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Canada, USA

How big does the Pale prickleback get?

The Pale prickleback grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Pale prickleback dangerous to humans?

No, the Pale prickleback is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Pale prickleback?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Pale prickleback is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Pale prickleback sourced
Scientific name
Lumpenopsis hypochroma
Family
Stichaeidae
Other names
Y-prickleback; Y-blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.6 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Canada, USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Stichaeidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Pale prickleback?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Pale prickleback is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Pale prickleback? Get the app