Rock gunnel: Difference between revisions
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The rock gunnel is often mistaken for an [[eel]] due to its flattened, elongate body. Fully grown adults can reach 30 centimeters in length. A long dorsal fin spans the body from just behind the head, supported by soft spiny rays. Its anal fin begins roughly midway along the body. The head is rather small with its lower jaw protruding and mouth turned upwards. Coloration is highly variable, ranging from hues of yellow-green to brown to crimson. A row of 9-13 dark spots, each surrounded by a pale ring, lines the dorsal fin. |
The rock gunnel is often mistaken for an [[eel]] due to its flattened, elongate body. Fully grown adults can reach 30 centimeters in length. A long dorsal fin spans the body from just behind the head, supported by soft spiny rays. Its anal fin begins roughly midway along the body. The head is rather small with its lower jaw protruding and mouth turned upwards. Coloration is highly variable, ranging from hues of yellow-green to brown to crimson. A row of 9-13 dark spots, each surrounded by a pale ring, lines the dorsal fin. |
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==Habitat and |
==Habitat and distribution== |
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The rock gunnel is found in the coastal waters of the North America and Europe. It ranges from [[Labrador]] and [[Greenland]] to [[Delaware Bay]] in the West Atlantic, and from the [[Kanin Peninsula]] to the [[Bay of Biscay]] in the East Atlantic<ref>{{FishBase species | genus = Pholis | species = gunnellus | month = March | year = 2013}}</ref>. Within its range it is found from the intertidal zone to depths of over 100 meters. The rock gunnel uses habitat sheltered by rocks and [[algae]] both above and below the waterline, likely to protect it from its natural predators. |
The rock gunnel is found in the coastal waters of the North America and Europe. It ranges from [[Labrador]] and [[Greenland]] to [[Delaware Bay]] in the West Atlantic, and from the [[Kanin Peninsula]] to the [[Bay of Biscay]] in the East Atlantic<ref>{{FishBase species | genus = Pholis | species = gunnellus | month = March | year = 2013}}</ref>. Within its range it is found from the intertidal zone to depths of over 100 meters. The rock gunnel uses habitat sheltered by rocks and [[algae]] both above and below the waterline, likely to protect it from its natural predators. |
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Revision as of 16:48, 17 March 2013
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| Species: | P. gunnellus
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| Pholis gunnellus Linnaeus, 1758
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The Rock Gunnel (Pholis gunnellus) is an eel-like fish found in the intertidal and subtidal zones of the North Atlantic. It is one of two species of gunnel native to the Atlantic Ocean, the other being the banded gunnel. The rock gunnel is capable of remaining above the waterline at low tide and breathing air.
Physical characteristics
The rock gunnel is often mistaken for an eel due to its flattened, elongate body. Fully grown adults can reach 30 centimeters in length. A long dorsal fin spans the body from just behind the head, supported by soft spiny rays. Its anal fin begins roughly midway along the body. The head is rather small with its lower jaw protruding and mouth turned upwards. Coloration is highly variable, ranging from hues of yellow-green to brown to crimson. A row of 9-13 dark spots, each surrounded by a pale ring, lines the dorsal fin.
Habitat and distribution
The rock gunnel is found in the coastal waters of the North America and Europe. It ranges from Labrador and Greenland to Delaware Bay in the West Atlantic, and from the Kanin Peninsula to the Bay of Biscay in the East Atlantic[1]. Within its range it is found from the intertidal zone to depths of over 100 meters. The rock gunnel uses habitat sheltered by rocks and algae both above and below the waterline, likely to protect it from its natural predators.
Behavior
Can breath air when out of water allowing it to hide out of the water under rocks and seaweed. Spawns in November till January . Female lays 80-200 eggs in a large ball under a stone or in an empty bivalve shell. Males are thought to remain to guard the eggs.
Diet
Diet has been reported to consist of small crustaceans, polychaetes, mollusks and fish eggs.
Notes
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Pholis gunnellus". FishBase. March 2013 version.