Orthonopias triacis Starks & Mann, 1911

Head and Body Shape

The snubnose sculpin, Orthonopias triacis, has a large head, large eyes, a very short snout, and a body that tapers toward the caudal peduncle. The anus is positioned far back on the body, closer to the pelvic fins than to the anal fin.

Preoperculum Spines

There is one slender, sharp spine on the preoperculum, and another spine with two or more points located above it. This species varies in color and can change color to camouflage against its background.

Base Body Coloration

Typically, individuals are mottled in brown, lavender, orange, red, and white. The lower body is mostly orange, with a white underside.

Head and Saddle Blotch Pattern

The head is maroon, and four distinct dark brown saddle-like blotches run along the body. The third saddle blotch has a brick-red center; pink coloring occurs between the first and second saddle blotches, and brown-orange coloring occurs between the second and third saddle blotches.

Fin Coloration

Orange bars mark the caudal and dorsal fins, and there is a dusky spot at the front of the first dorsal fin. The caudal fin is rounded.

Fin Ray Count

The dorsal fin is supported by 9 spines and 16 to 18 soft rays, while the anal fin has 13 to 15 soft rays.

Scale Characteristics

Large, distinct scales are present on the crown, and the scales along the lateral line bear cirri.

Maximum Size

The maximum published total length for this species is 10 cm (3.9 in).