The stickleback family includes only two species: the tubesnout, our local representative, and a similar species which resides off the coasts of Japan and Korea.
Stickleback family
Contrary to what most landlubbers think, the Pacific Northwest has a great variety of fish species, many of which no one but us divers really ever get to see. How many of these have you seen before?
We have divided these fish into their respective families ( a rank intermediate between order and genus ); for further information on classifying marine species, see our Pacific Northwest Fish ID class.
We have divided these fish into their respective families ( a rank intermediate between order and genus ); for further information on classifying marine species, see our Pacific Northwest Fish ID class.
Pelagia Photo Galleries - Pacific Northwest Fish
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This is a huge family of fish and includes over 350 described species. Most sculpins are small, with large bulbous heads and tapering bodies. Most can change color to blend in and hide.
Sculpin family
The largest of the scorpionfish family, Rockfish range in size from seven inches to three feet in length. All members carry toxic sacs of venom in their spines, which can be fatal to humans.
Scorpionfish family (Rockfish)
Greenlings are medium to large sized fish which prefer shallow, rocky, or kelp-covered bottoms as dwelling places. They are very territorial and
Greenling family
Flounders begin their lives with an eye on either side of their heads, but at a specific time in their lives, the skull begins to twist, and one eye migrates to the other side of their heads.
Flounder family
The wolf-fish family 
is represented in our waters by one species, that of the wolf-eel. This fish is not a true eel, and is unmistakeable for any other fish.
is represented in our waters by one species, that of the wolf-eel. This fish is not a true eel, and is unmistakeable for any other fish.
Wolf-fish family
Like the pricklebacks, the gunnels have an elongated body and dorsal fin, and a long anal fin. They prefer habitats where they can hide in the rocks or under kelp,and are found in shallow water.
Gunnel family
There are always a few species that refuse to toe the line of classification; this is where the strange and unusual fishes go to associate with each other.
Miscellaneous families
We have only a handful of goby species here in the Pacific Northwest, as only a few can tolerate our colder waters. Look for them in burrows and among the rocks.
Goby family
The poachers are a family of about 47 species of cold-water fish. Their scales have been modified into bony plates, and their bodies are elongated.