Anoplarchus insignis Gilbert & Burke, 1912
Slender cockscomb
photo by Nichols, J.

Family:  Stichaeidae (Pricklebacks), subfamily: Xiphisterinae
Max. size:  12 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Aleutian Islands, Alaska to Arena Cove, Mendocino County, northern California, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 57-64; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 40-46; Vertebrae: 62-68. Dorsal well notched but joined to caudal; caudal rounded; pectorals bluntly pointed (Ref. 6885). Dark, or with a broken or variegated dark and light patterns usually with dark and light bars accentuating each other across jaw; frequently dark markings near anterior portion of dorsal fin and on the posterior margin of each gill cover; rarely individuals partly or completely bright red (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  Prefers subtidal areas among rocks (Ref. 2850) and algae to depths of 30 meters (Ref. 51666).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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