Artedius harringtoni
Artedius harringtoni, also known as the scalyhead sculpin or plumose sculpin, is a demersal species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Cottidae, the typical sculpins. The species is native to the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Etymology
The genus Artedius is named after Peter Artedi, a naturalist, and A. harringtoni is named after Mark W. Harrington, president of the University of Washington from 1895 to 1897.
Description
Artedius harringtoni uses camouflage to blend into its surroundings. It can be identified by the orange linings of its gills and the orange or red lines running through its eyes. The species also has cirri above each eye. A. harringtoni is sexually dimorphic, with adult males reaching a maximum length of 10 centimeters.
Artedius harringtoni is native to the eastern Pacific along the West Coast of the United States and the British Columbia Coast, with a range extending from Kodiak Island, Alaska, to San Miguel Island, California. The species is found in intertidal and sub-tidal rocky bottoms, commonly around pilings, to a depth of 21 meters.
The species reproduces through internal fertilization, with the males guarding the eggs until hatching. Males are highly territorial.
Diet and feeding
Artedius harringtoni is a forager and predator. It has been known to eat the eggs of the lingcod.
Parasites
The species is host to two species of parasitic copepods, Haemobaphes intermedius and Clavella parva, a species of cestodes,, a species of digenean,, and two species of nematodes.