Rockweed Gunnel

Apodicthys fucorum

Rockweed Gunnel

Apodicthys fucorum

Sandy Coast

At the Aquarium

Sandy Coast

Appearance

These long, skinny fish can be yellow-brown, red, or green in color. They lack pelvic fins and have tiny pectoral fins. They have a dark stripe below the eye.

Habitat

Intertidal zone to 30 feet in depth, usually near red algae and surfgrass, and rockweed, hence their name.

Diet

These fish eat a variety of small crustaceans and snails.

Life History

Rockweed gunnels spawn in winter and spring. Females lay their eggs under rocks in the lower intertidal zone, and a male will guard them. At hatching, larvae are 0.5 inches long. Young settle at 0.9 inches to nearshore areas, mostly in tidepools. They can reach a maximum length of 9 inches.

IUCN Status

Not Evaluated

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Rockweed gunnels act as food for their predators, including shorebirds, such as the great blue heron.

British Columbia, Canada to Baja California, Mexico

These fish may be found among algae in tidepools.

Rockweed gunnels can breathe air while out of the water for as long as 12 hours.

Citations & Other Resources

jkirkhart35, Xererpesfucorum, CC BY 2.0
E-Fauna BC site: https://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/efauna/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Apodichthys%20fucorum
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.

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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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