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Saddleback Gunnel

Pholis ornata

Saddleback Gunnel

Pholis ornata
At the Aquarium
Sandy Coast

At the Aquarium

Sandy Coast

Appearance

These eel-like fish are long and skinny, with saddle-shaped markings along the back. They come in a variety of colors: often green to brown on the back and then yellow, orange, or red on the underside. They have dark colors on the top of the head and underneath the eyes. They have tiny pelvic fins.

Habitat

Common in bays and estuaries, on mud, on or among rocks, or among eelgrass or seaweeds, from the intertidal to depths of 200 feet. Can tolerate low salinity waters.

Diet

Small molluscs, crustaceans, and worms

Life History

Saddleback gunnels spawn during winter. The eggs are sticky and attached to the substrate. Both the male and female guard the egg mass. Young saddleback gunnels settle onto rocky bottoms. They can grow to 12 inches; their lifespan is unknown.

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Saddleback gunnels can be eaten by a variety of predators, including copper rockfish, Pacific cod, and harbor seals.
Range
Vancouver Island, Canada to southern California
On the Oregon Coast
Saddleback gunnels can be found on mudflats during low tide, often by eelgrass or under rocks.
Fun Facts
These fish can survive out of water during low tide, using loose rocks or vegetation for shelter.

Citations & Other Resources

  • Barton, Michael Glenn. inchesInfluence of temperature and salinity on the adaptation of Anoplarchus purpurescens and Pholis ornata to an intertidal habitat.inches (1978).
  • Bond, Carl E., and Alan J. Beardsley. inchesField guide to common marine and bay fishes of Oregon [1978].inches (1978).
  • IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/154866/115245783#habitat-ecology
  • 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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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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