Chirolophis nugator (Jordan & Williams, 1895)
Mosshead warbonnet
Chirolophis nugator
photo by Nichols, J.

Family:  Stichaeidae (Pricklebacks), subfamily: Chirolophinae
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 20 - 80 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Aleutian Islands, Alaska to San Miguel Island, southern California, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 53-55; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 37-42. Caudal rounded (Ref. 6885). Color variable- males brownish, sometimes with a red tinge; pale spots rimmed with darker on sides of body; spots fainter, smaller, and more numerous dorsally on sides; light on lower part of head with several brown streaks; white on pelvic fins and anterior part of anal fin; other fins with brown pigment spots in bands forming faint bars. Females nearly plain brown on body; in line spread along middle of dorsal fin about 13 dark spots each surrounded by a clear area to form prominent ocelli (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  Usually in intertidal and subtidal rocky areas (Ref. 2850, 51666). Sometimes hides in crevices and tubeworms holes with only head protruding (Ref. 2850).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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