Posted by Matt Dowell on January 31, 2005 at 22:11:19:
In Reply to: what kind of fish is this? posted by Chris on January 31, 2005 at 14:38:50:
Kelpfish can be tough to identify, but from the looks of this one, I'd say it is either a spotted or crevice kelpfish. Given that crevice kelpfish are more common farther north, it is more likely to be a spotted kelpfish. In either case, it is a Gibbonsia species. I say this because of the large spot behind the gill cover and how the dorsal fin is high in front, with almost a notch behind the high front. Neither characteristic is present in island kelpfish. Island kelpfish also have a fairly conspicuous patch on their cheeks which is not present in the fish pictured.