Scientific Name
Nautichthys robustus
Common Name
Shortmast sculpin
Biology
Dorsal
spines
(total): 7 - 8;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 19-21;
Anal
spines: 0;
Anal
soft rays: 14 - 15. Spinous dorsal short with anterior spines longest; caudal slightly rounded; pectorals rounded, lower 8 rays exserted, middle rays lengthened reaching anal insertion; pelvic fins reaching anus (Ref. 6885). Color pale brown, lighter ventrally; dark band through eye; eye and cirrus black; dorsal fins speckled, with spinous fin darker; usually 4 dark saddles across back, and dark band at base of caudal fin; posterior edge of caudal darker (Ref. 6885). Recognizable by having a combination of gill membranes fused to isthmus, strong longitudinal depression in occiput, scales embedded in papillae covering body except in axilla, moderate-sized spinous dorsal, second dorsal with fewer than 22 rays, and a black band through eye (Ref. 6885).