Black prickleback (Xiphister atropurpureus)

Scientific name: Xiphister atropurpureus Kittlitz, 1858

The Black prickleback (Xiphister atropurpureus) is a marine fish of the family Stichaeidae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, Kodiak Island, Alaska to Rio Santo Tomas, northern Baja California, Mexico.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 65 - 73; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 40 - 52. Caudal rounded; pectorals as minute flaps. Dark reddish brown to black with head pale enough to display 3 dark light-edged bands radiating from each eye; light band sometimes prominent across base of caudal fin and extending on dorsal and anal fins.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Xiphister atropurpureus
Family: Stichaeidae (Pricklebacks)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 30.5
Depth range: 8–12 m (26–39 ft)
Environment: Marine; demersal; depth range 8 - 12 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Eastern Pacific: Kodiak Island, Alaska to Rio Santo Tomas, northern Baja California, Mexico.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2.5)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026