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Penpoint Gunnel

Apodicthys flavidus

Penpoint Gunnel

Apodicthys flavidus
At the Aquarium
Sandy Coast, Rocky Coast

At the Aquarium

Sandy Coast, Rocky Coast

Appearance

Penpoints are named for the thick, grooved spine on the anal fin. These long, skinny fish come in a variety of colors, including oranges, reds, greens, or browns. They lack pelvic fins and have a line that extends downward through the eyes.

Habitat

Found in tidepools and shallow waters from the intertidal zone to depths of 25 feet.

Diet

Mostly worms and small crustaceans, like hermit crabs.

Life History

Penpoint gunnels spawn January-April in the rocky intertidal zone. A female lays sticky, whitish eggs onto the ground that are 0.1 inches across. One or both parents will guard the eggs for the 2.5 month long incubation period. Larvae hatch out at 0.5 inches long and spend 50 days as free floating plankton before settling into tidepools in spring. These fish can reach a maximum length of 18 inches and can live to at least 6 years of age.

IUCN Status

Not Evaluated

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Gunnels are important prey to birds and groundfish species. Predators of penpoint gunnels include cabezons, lingcod, cormorants, pigeon guillemots, Steller sea lions, and minks. These fish are important to the live aquaria trade for both home and public aquariums.
Range
Alaska to southern California
On the Oregon Coast
These fish may be found among algae in tidepools or on mudflats during low tide.
Fun Facts
During low tide, these fish usually remain submerged, either in tidepools or in shallow subtidal areas. However, they can survive out of water during low tide by sheltering under rocks or seaweed. The variable colors of a penpoint are determined when they are larvae by their diet and the color of vegetation that they settle on.

Citations & Other Resources

  • De Forest, Lisa G., and Morgan S. Busby. inchesDevelopment of larval and early juvenile penpoint gunnel (Apodichthys flavidus)(family: Pholidae).inches (2006).
  • Love, Milton S. Certainly more than you want to know about the fishes of the Pacific Coast: a postmodern experience. Really Big Press: Santa Barbara. 2011. 649 pp. ISBN 978-0-9628725-6-3.
  • The Marine Detective Blog: https://themarinedetective.com/2021/04/19/gunnel-gunnel-gone/
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About Oregon Coast Aquarium

Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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