California Academy of Sciences, California Coast Gallery

The chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, (derived from Russian чавыча), is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family and is the family's largest member. It is a Pacific Ocean salmon and is variously known as the king salmon, tyee salmon, Columbia River salmon, black salmon, chub salmon, hook bill salmon, winter salmon, Spring Salmon, Quinnat Salmon and blackmouth. Chinook salmon are typically divided into "races" with "spring chinook", "summer chinook", and "fall chinook" being most... less ↑

The gumboot chiton, Cryptochiton stelleri, also known as the giant pacific chiton, is the largest of the chitons, growing to 33 cm (13 in). It is found along the shores of the northern Pacific Ocean from Central California to Alaska, across the Aleutian Islands to the Kamchatka Peninsula and south to Japan. It inhabits the lower intertidal and subtidal zones of rocky coastlines. less ↑

The thornback guitarfish, Platyrhinoidis triseriata, is a species of ray in the subfamily Platyrhininae of the family Rhinobatidae (some authors elevate the platyrhinids to full family status). It is the only member of the genus Platyrhinoidis. It is found in Mexico and the United States. Its natural habitats are shallow seas, subtidal aquatic beds, estuarine waters, and intertidal marshes. Other common names include the banjo shark (not to be confused with the Australian banjo sharks, Trygonorrhina),... less ↑

The Yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) is a rockfish of the genus Sebastes, and one of the biggest members of the genus. Its name derieves from its coloration. It is also known as the "red snapper." The Yelloweye is one of the world's longest-lived fish species, and is cited to live to a maximum of 114 to 120 years of age. As they grow older, they change in color, from reddish in youngness, to bright orange in... less ↑

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, or the purple sea urchin, is one of the sharp-spined sea urchin species. The spines are used as a means of defense against would-be predators. This urchin is deep purple in color, and grows to a diameter of about 4 inches. They are found along the Pacific coast of the United States and Canada where they cling to depressions in the rocks during low tide. less ↑

The leopard shark, Triakis semifasciata, is a species of houndshark, family Triakidae, found along the Pacific coast of North America from the U.S. state of Oregon to Mazatlán in Mexico. Typically measuring 1.2–1.5 m (3.9–4.9 ft) long, this slender-bodied shark is immediately identifiable by the striking pattern of black saddle-like markings and large spots over its back, from which it derives its common name. Large schools of leopard sharks are a common sight in bays and estuaries, swimming... less ↑

Hexagrammos decagrammus is a marine fish known as the Kelp Greenling. It occurs in rocky inshore areas of the northern Pacific and is common on kelp beds and on sand bottoms. They feeds on crustaceans, polychaete worms, brittle stars, mollusks, and small fishes. The young are food for steelhead and salmon. They are frequently caught by hook an line fishermen from shore and by skiff as well as speared by divers. less ↑

The quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger) is one of 32 species of rockfish and primarily dwells in salt water reefs. The average adult weighs 2-7 pounds (0.9 – 3 kg) and may reach 24 inches (61 cm)in length. Quillback rockfish are named for the sharp, venomous quills or spines on the dorsal fin. Their mottled orange-brown coloring allows them to blend in with rocky bottom reefs. Quillback rockfish eat mainly crustaceans, but they will also eat herring. They are solitary... less ↑

The Wolf eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus) is a member of the family Anarhichadidae together with the wolffishes of the genus Anarhichas. The Wolf eel is monotypic within the genus Anarrhichthys. This superficially eel-like fish feeds on crustaceans, sea urchins, mussels, clams and some fishes, crushing them with its strong jaws. It can grow to be 203 centimetres (80 in), 18.6 kilograms (41 lb), and is found in the northern Pacific Ocean, ranging from the Sea of Japan and the Aleutian Islands... less ↑

Corynactis californica is a bright red colonial anthozoan similar to sea anemones and scleractinian stony corals. Unlike the Atlantic true sea anemone, Actinia fragacea, that bears the same common name, strawberry anemone, this species is a colonial animal of the order Corallimorpharia. Other common names include club-tipped anemone and strawberry corallimorpharian. The anemone is known to carpet the bottom of some areas, like Campbell River in British Columbia, and Monterey Bay in California. less ↑

The big skate (Raja binoculata) is the largest species of skate, family Rajidae, in the waters off North America. They are found along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Baja California, typically from the intertidal zone to a depth of 120 m (390 ft), and feed on benthic invertebrates and small fishes. They are unusual among skates in that their egg cases may contain up to seven eggs each. This species is one of the most commercially important... less ↑

Neverita lewisii (previously known as Polinices lewisii, Lunatia lewisii, Euspira lewisii), common name Lewis's moon snail, is a species of large operculated sea snail. It is a predatory marine gastropod in the family Naticidae, the moon snails. Traditionally, this species was assigned to either the genus Lunatia, the genus Polinices or the genus Euspira. Recently, it was assigned to the genus Neverita based on molecular data. less ↑

Atherinops affinis, the topsmelt silverside or simply topsmelt, is a species of Neotropical silverside native to the eastern Pacific Ocean. This fish is found along the west coast of North America from southern British Columbia to Baja California. It is marine and it often schools in relatively shallow water such as estuaries, bays, rocky intertidal zones and kelp forests, where it feeds on zooplankton. This is a common fish of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San... less ↑

The Northern Clingfish (Gobiesox maeandricus) is a species of saltwater fish. It is a member of the Gobiesocidae family of order Gobiesociformes. It is native to the Pacific coast of North America. It is commonly found in the intertidal zone clinging to the underside of rocks by small hairs akin to those on a gecko's feet on the basal portions of the pelvic and pectoral fins. less ↑

The California spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus, is a species of spiny lobster found in the eastern Pacific Ocean from Monterey Bay, California to the Gulf of Tehuantepec, Mexico. It typically grows to a length of 30 cm (12 in) and is a reddish-brown color with stripes along the legs, and has a pair of enlarged antennae but no claws. The interrupted grooves across the tail are characteristic for the species. less ↑

The Garibaldi or Garibaldi damselfish (Hypsypops rubicundus) is a bright orange fish of the damselfish family. This fish species is native to the North-Eastern subtropical parts of the Pacific Ocean, ranging from Monterey Bay, California, to Guadalupe Island, Baja California. The common name is a reference to the Italian military and political figure Giuseppe Garibaldi, whose followers often wore a characteristic scarlet or red shirt. less ↑

Scorpaena guttata is a species of fish in the scorpionfish family known by the common name California scorpionfish. It is native to the eastern Pacific Ocean, where it can be found along the coast of California and Baja California. Its distribution extends from around Santa Cruz, California, to Punta Abreojos in Baja California Sur, and out to Guadalupe Island. It is also found in the Gulf of California. Another common name is spotted scorpionfish. less ↑

The treefish (Sebastes serriceps) is a marine fish of the Sebastes genus. It is native to the eastern Pacific Ocean with a range from San Francisco, California to central Baja California, Mexico. Its name comes from the Latin "Saw Head", referring to the large spines on the top of its head. It has been reported up to 41 centimetres (16 in), and 25 years old. It usually occurs in crevices in rocky areas, 5-90 metres (16-295 feet)... less ↑

The Sarcastic fringehead, Neoclinus blanchardi, is a ferocious fish which has a large mouth and aggressive territorial behaviour from which it has been given its common name. When two fringeheads have a territorial battle, they wrestle by pressing their distended mouths against each other, as if they were kissing. This allows them to determine which is the larger fish, which establishes dominance. less ↑

Medialuna californiensis, the Halfmoon, is a species of sea chub native to the Pacific coast of North America from Vancouver, British Columbia to the Gulf of California. This species prefers rocky substrates or kelp forests and can be found from the surface to a depth of 40 metres (130 ft). It can reach a length of 48 centimetres (19 in) TL. This species is considered to be an excellent food fish. less ↑

The horn shark (Heterodontus francisci) is a species of bullhead shark, family Heterodontidae. It is endemic to the coastal waters off the western coast of North America, from California to the Gulf of California. Young sharks are segregated spatially from the adults, with the former preferring deeper sandy flats and the latter preferring shallower rocky reefs or algal beds. A small species typically measuring 1 m (3.3 ft) in length, the horn shark can be recognized by a... less ↑

The kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus), sometimes referred to as the calico bass (leading to easy confusion with the freshwater fishes from the genus Pomoxis), is a species of marine fish found in the eastern North Pacific Ocean from Baja California, Mexico, to Washington, USA (although rare in the northernmost part of its range). As suggested by its common name, it is typically associated with kelp beds, but may also be found in rocky areas or near... less ↑

Pycnopodia helianthoides, commonly known as the sunflower seastar, is a large sea star found in the northeast Pacific. It is the largest sea star in the world, with a maximum armspan of 1 m (3.3 ft). Sunflower seastars usually have 16 to 24 limbs; their color can vary widely. They are predatory, feeding mostly on sea urchins, clams, snails, and other small invertebrates. less ↑

Semicossyphus pulcher, the California sheephead, is a species of wrasse native to the eastern Pacific Ocean. Its range is from Monterey Bay, California to the Gulf of California, Mexico. This particular fish can live for up to 20 years in favorable conditions and can reach a size of up to 3 feet and 30 pounds. They are a carnivorous species living in a rocky reef and kelp bed habitat, feeding primarily on sea urchins, molluscs, and... less ↑

Anthopleura elegantissima, also known as the aggregating anemone or clonal anemone, is the most abundant species of sea anemone found on rocky, tide swept shores along the Pacific coast of North America. This cnidarian hosts endosymbiotic algae called zooxanthellae that contribute substantially to primary productivity in the intertidal zone.A. elegantissima has become a model organism for the study of temperate cnidarian-algal symbioses. less ↑

The Bat star (Asterina miniata), also known as Sea bat, Webbed star, Bat Man and Broad-disk star, is an echinoderm of class Asteroidea (commonly known as sea stars). It typically has five arms, with the center disk of the animal being much wider than the stubby arms are in length. Although the bat star usually has five arms, it sometimes has as many as nine. Bat stars occur in many of colors, including green, purple, red,... less ↑

Enteroctopus dofleini, also known as the giant Pacific octopus or North Pacific giant octopus, is a large cephalopod belonging to the genus Enteroctopus. It can be found in the coastal North Pacific, usually at a depth of around 65 m (215 ft). It can, however, live in much shallower or much deeper waters. It is arguably the largest octopus species, based on a scientific record of a 71 kg (156 lb) individual weighed live. The alternative contender is the seven-arm... less ↑