The MaST Center Aquarium
The Aquarium at the MaST Center holds over 3,000 gallons of water in various tanks. It features 2 large touch tanks, an Octopus tank, a schooling fish tank, and more. In all, the aquarium houses over 250 species of marine creatures, all native to the Puget Sound and surrounding waters.
Divers of the MaST Center frequently go on collecting trips, so there is always something new to see. Make sure to ask our volunteers about new arrivals!
Guide to Species in our Aquarium
Below is a guide to species commonly seen in our Aquarium and in the salt waterways of the Pacific Northwest. Due to change in seasons and displays, not all of these species are present at any given time. View images of each species and their scientific name.
Gobies
Blackeye Goby
Rhinogobiops nicholsii
Other Common Names: Bluespot goby, Crested goby, large-scaled goby
Average Size: Length of up to 15 centimeters
Lifespan: Five years
Range: Southern Alaska to Northern Mexico
Habitat: Sandy-bottom habitats around rocks
Greenlings
Kelp Greenling
Hexagrammos decagrrammus
Other Common Names: Greenling sea trout, rock trout, kelp cod
Average Size: Length of 61 centimeters
Lifespan: 25 years
Range: Aleutian Islands to southern California
Habitat: Kelp beds and rocky shorelines
Painted Greenling
Oxylebius pictus
Other Common Names: Convictfish
Average Size: Length of 25 centimeters
Lifespan: 8 years
Range: Alaska to northern Mexico
Habitat: Rocky reefs in the intertidal and subtidal of protected shorelines
Rock Greenling
Hexagrammos lagocephalus
Other Common Names: Fringed greenling, rock red trout
Average Size: 24 inches in length
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska’s Bering Sea to Point Conception, California
Habitat: Rocky shoreline (though they can be found in tidepools and sandy areas)
Gunnels
Crescent Gunnel
Pholis laeta
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 25 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 6 years
Range: Aleutian Islands to Northern California
Habitat: Under rocks, in beds of eelgrass and other algae, out of water under rocks or seaweed, intertidal and shallow subtidal
Penpoint Gunnel
Apodichthys flavidus
Other Common Names: Pen-point blenny
Average Size: 46 centimeters 25 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: Kodiak Island in Alaska to southern California
Habitat: Camouflaging in seaweed, under rocks (including ones outside of water), and tidepools
Saddleback Gunnel
Pholis ornata
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 30 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: Vancouver Island to Santa Barbara County in California
Habitat: Along the coast and in estuaries
Lumpsuckers
Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker
Eumicrotremus orbis
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Length of 1-3 inches, but most commonly 1 inch
Lifespan:
Range: Northern Washington to the Aleutian Islands; Bering Sea; the Chukchi Sea; around northern Japan
Habitat: Eelgrass beds, rocky reefs, kelp patches, other algae growth, shallow bays and docks, near-shore waters (depth 480-500 feet)
Pipefishes
Bay Pipefish
Syngnathus leptorhynchus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 39 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 1-2 years
Range: Sitka Alaska to southern Baja California in Mexico
Habitat: Camouflages in eel grass, nearshore waters, shallow offshore waters, seaweed in bays and estuaries, wharves, tidelines
Pricklebacks
Black Prickleback
Xiphister atropurpureus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 13 inches in length
Lifespan: 15 years
Range: Kodiak Island, Alaska to Rio Santo Thomas, northern Baja California, Mexico
Habitat: Tidal pools, shallow rocky and gravel areas in the intertidal zone
Decorated Warbonnet
Chirolophis decoratus
Other Common Names: Decorated prickleback, Decorated blenny
Average Size: 42 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: Kamchatka in Russia; Bering Sea coastline; Aleutian Islands; northern California
Habitat: Seaweeds, rock crevices, holes in large sponges
Mosshead Warbonnet
Chirolophis nugator
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 15 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range:
Habitat: Rocky areas, crevices, tubeworm holes
Rock Prickleback
Xiphister mucosus
Other Common Names:
Average Size: 58 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 11 years
Range: Gulf of Alaska to southern California
Habitat: Tidepools, under rocks, rocky seaweed-covered intertidal and subtidal, under rocks exposed to air
Slender Cockscomb
Anoplarchus insignis
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 12 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands to Northern California
Habitat: Rocky crevices, amongst algae in the subtidal
Snake Prickleback
Lumpenus sagitta
Other Common Names:
Average Size: 51 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: Through most of the North Pacific; from the Sea of Japan to the southern Sea of Okhotsk in Russia; in the Bering Sea, from St. Lawrence Island to Adak Island; south to San Francisco
Habitat: Muddy or sandy substrates
Righteye Flounders
C-O Sole
Pleuronichthys coenosus
Other Common Names: Popeye sole, spot flounder
Average Size: 36 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: Southeastern Alaska to northern Baja California in Mexico
Habitat: Rocky flat sandy areas of the subtidal
Rock Sole
Lepidopsetta bilineata
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 60 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 22 years
Range: Northern Pacific, from Baja California in Mexico to Alaska; the Aleutian Islands; southeastern parts of the Bering Sea.
Habitat: Sand and gravel bottoms
Starry Flounder
Platichthys stellatus
Other Common Names: The Grindstone, Emery Wheel, Long-nosed Flounder
Average Size: 91 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 24 years
Range: Coastlines of both sides of the Pacific Ocean; from Korea and Japan to California; Bering Straight to Alaskan and Canadian coastlines of the Arctic Ocean
Habitat: Near eel-grass beds, under wharves in shallow water, resting on or in soft sea-bottom sediments, tidal flats, river mouths with brackish water
Rockfish
Brown Rockfish
Sebastes auriculatus
Other Common Names: Brown Seaperch, chocolate bass, brown bass, brown bomber
Average Size: 56 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 34 years
Range: Southern Baja California in Mexico to Prince William Sound in the northern Gulf of Alaska
Habitat: Areas with rocky patches or hard substrates
Canary Rockfish
Sebastes pinniger
Other Common Names: Orange Rockfish
Average Size: 76 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 44 years
Range: Southern Alaska to central California
Habitat: Rocky habitats
China Rockfish
Sebastes nebulosus
Other Common Names: Yellowstripe Rockfish, Yellowspotted rockfish
Average Size: 4.5 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 79 years
Range: Western Gulf of Alaska to southern California
Habitat: Shallow and exposed rocky reefs along the outer coastlines
Copper Rockfish
Sebastes caurinus
Other Common Names: Yellow-backed rockfish
Average Size: Length of 40 centimeters, but can grow up to 66 centimeters
Lifespan: 57 years
Range: Central Alaska to northern Mexico
Habitat: Adults – Bottom of rocky reefs, Young – closer to the surface and in tidepools, Both – around wharves
Yelloweye Rockfish
Sebastes ruberrimus
Other Common Names: Locally known as red snapper (not to be confused with Lutjanus campechanus, whose formal name is red snapper)
Average Size: 91 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 114 to 120 years
Range: Gulf of Alaska to Baja California in Mexico
Habitat: Near sea bottom near the shelter of rocky reefs, in crevices, Young – shallower rocky reefs
Yellowtail Rockfish
Sebastes flavidus
Other Common Names: Yellowtail seaperch
Average Size: 66 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 50 years
Range: Aleutian Islands in Alaska to southern California
Habitat: open water, around rocky reefs, along steeply sloped shorelines, crevices
Salmon and Trout
Chinook Salmon/King Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Other Common Names: King salmon, Chinook salmon, Quinnat salmon, Tsumen, spring salmon, chrome hog, Blackmouth, Tyee Salmon
Average Size: 40-60 inches in length
Lifespan: 2-7 years
Range: Both sides of the North Pacific; Bering Sea to southern California; along the coast of Asia from Siberia to northern Japan; Mackenzie and Coppermine River drainages in the Arctic; Great Lakes; New Zealand; Chile
Habitat: Streams, rivers, lakes (sometimes)
Sand Flounders
Pacific Sanddab
Citharichthys sordidus
Other Common Names: Mottled Sanddab, Soft Flounder
Average Size: 41 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 8 years
Range: Southeastern Alaska to Baja California in Mexico
Habitat: Sandy and muddy bottomed locations
Speckled Sanddab
Citharichthys stigmaeus
Other Common Names: Catalina sanddab
Average Size: 17 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 4 years
Range: Gulf of Alaska to southern Baja California in Mexico
Habitat: Sandy ocean floor
Sculpins
Buffalo Sculpin
Enophrys bison
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 37 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: Kodiak Island in central Alaska to Monterey in California
Habitat: rocky reefs, shallow subtidal locations
Great Sculpin
Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 76 centimeters in length
Lifespan: Yet to be discovered, but longest living one is 16 years
Range: northern Washington to the Bering Sea coast and Aleutian Islands, across to Siberia and Japan
Habitat: rocky outcrops, nearby sandy areas in the intertidal and subtidal
Grunt Sculpin
Rhamphocottus richardsoni
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 8.9 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 4 years
Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean
Habitat: Close to shore, empty barnacle shells
Longfin Sculpin
Jordania zonope
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 15 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: Central Alaska to central California
Habitat: Rocky reefs, caves, crevices, kelp
Pacific Staghorn Sculpin
Leptocottus armatus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 46 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 3 years
Range: Northern Alaska to northern Mexico
Habitat: Nearshore saltwater, brackish habitats, bays, estuaries, sandy or muddy bottomed areas, tidal flats
Padded Sculpin
Artedius fenestralis
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 14 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska Peninsula to southern California
Habitat:
Red Irish Lord
Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 51 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: Kamchatka in Russia to the Aleutian Island to the Gulf of Alaska to Monterey Bay in Alaska
Habitat: Rocky habitats, shallow locations where it camouflages in encrusting seaweeds, sponges and other sea life, Young – tidepools
Rosylip Sculpin
Ascelichthys rhodorus
Other Common Names: Rosy-lipped sculpin
Average Size: 2-15 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 5 years
Range: Alaska to central California
Habitat: Tidepools, other intertidal habitats
Sailfin Sculpin
Nautichthys oculofasciatus
Other Common Names: Eye-banded sailor fish
Average Size: 20 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: St. Lawrence Island in Alaska to San Miguel Island which is off southern California
Habitat: Rocky coastal waters with a lot of algae, crevice roofs
Snubnose Sculpin
Orthonopias triacis
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 10 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: Monterey Bay in California to Baja California in Mexico
Habitat: Intertidal rocky areas
Tidepool Sculpin
Oligocottus maculosus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 8 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands to southern California
Habitat: Shallow areas, under rocks, tidepools along rocky shorelines
Roughback Sculpin
Chitonotus pugetensis
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 23 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: British Columbia in Canada to southern Baja California in Mexico
Habitat: Sandy or muddy bottoms in the intertidal zone
Sticklebacks
- Threespine Stickleback – Gasterosteous aculeatus
Poachers
Northern Spearnose Poacher
Agonopsis vulsa
Other Common Names: Window-tailed sea-poacher, windowtail poacher
Average Size: 20 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: southeastern Alaska to southern California
Habitat:
Surfperches
Shiner Perch
Cymatogaster aggregata
Other Common Names: Shiner surfperch, yellow shiner
Average Size: 20 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 8 years
Range: Southern Alaska to northern Mexico
Habitat: eelgrass beds, ocean floor
Striped Perch
Embiotoca lateralis
Other Common Names: Blue seaperch, blue perch
Average Size: 38 centimeters in length
Lifespan: 9 years
Range: Southern Alaska to northern Mexico
Habitat: kelp beds, rocky reefs
Tubesnouts
Tubesnout
Aulorhynchus flavidus
Other Common Names: Tubenose
Average Size: 19 centimeters in length
Lifespan:
Range: Prince William Sound in Alaska to Rompiente in Baja California which is in Mexico
Habitat: kelp beds, eelgrass beds, rocky or sandy-bottomed areas, rocky crevices
Wolffishes
Wolf eel
Anarrhichthys ocellatus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 2.5 meters in length
Lifespan: 25 years
Range: Northern Baja California to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska; south to the Okhotsk Seas and Japan
Habitat: crevices and caves at the sea bottom
Anemones
Aggregating Anemone
Anthopleura elegantissima
Other Common Names: Aggregated anemone, pink-tipped green anemone, elegant anemone
Average Size: 6 inches high, 3 1/8 inches diameter
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Baja California, Mexico
Habitat: On rocks and hard surfaces, intertidal and shallow subtidal
Burrowing Anemone
Anthopleura artemisia
Other Common Names: Buried green anemone, moonglow anemone
Average Size: 4 inches in diameter, column buried to 10 inches
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to southern California
Habitat: Buried in sand-shell, attached to shells or rocks, intertidal and subtidal
Crimson Anemone
Cribrinopsis fernaldi
Other Common Names: Snakelock anemone
Average Size: 8 inches high, 6 inches in diameter
Lifespan:
Range: Aleutian Islands to Puget Sound
Habitat: Rocks, subtidal to 1000’ or more
Fish-Eating Anemone
Urticina piscivore
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 10 inches high, 8 inches diameter
Lifespan:
Range: Polar seas to La Jolla, California
Habitat: Prominences, subtidal to 100’ and more
Giant Plumose Anemone
Metridium farcimen
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 3 feet high, 1 foot across
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to southern California
Habitat: Attached to hard surfaces, pilings, and floats; intertidal to 1000’
Green Surf Anemone
Anthopleura xanthogrammica
Other Common Names: Giant Green Anemone
Average Size: 12 inches, 10 inches in diameter
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Panama
Habitat: Exposed rocky shores, intertidal and shallow subtidal
Painted Anemone
Urticina crassicornis
Other Common Names: Northern Red Anemone, Christmas Anemone
Average Size: 5 inches high, 3 inches in diameter
Lifespan:
Range: Pribilof Islands, Alaska to south of Monterey, California
Habitat: Rocks, intertidal and shallow subtidal
Sand Rose Anemone
Urticina columbiana
Other Common Names: Columbia Sand Anemone, Sand Anemone
Average Size: 10 inches high, 14 inches or more in diameter
Lifespan:
Range: Vancouver Island to Baja California
Habitat: Partially buried in sand-mud-shell, subtidal to 150’
Short Plumose Anemone
Metridium senile
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 4 inches high, 2 inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to southern California
Habitat: Hard surfaces, floats, intertidal to 1000’
Stubby Rose Anemone
Urticina coriacea
Other Common Names: Stubby Buried Anemone, Leathery anemone
Average Size: 6 inches high, 6 inches in diameter
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Monterey, California
Habitat: Buried in sand-shell, intertidal to 50’
Swimming Anemone
Stomphia didemon
Other Common Names: Cowardly Anemone
Average Size: 4 inches high, 5 inches in diameter
Lifespan:
Range: British Columbia to Washington
Habitat: Rocks, subtidal to 65’
White-Spotted Anemone
Urticina lofotensis
Other Common Names: Strawberry Anemone
Average Size: 6 inches in diameter, 6 inches high
Lifespan:
Range: Southeast Alaska to San Diego, California
Habitat: Exposed coasts, intertidal to 50’
Hard Corals
Orange Cup Coral
Balanophyllia elegans
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: ½ inch high, ½ inch in diameter
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to central Baja California
Habitat: Rocks, intertidal in dark places, shallow subtidal
Jellyfish
Egg Yolk Jellyfish
Phacellophora camtschatica
Other Common Names: Fried Egg Jelly
Average Size: Bell is 2 inches or more, tentacles are 20 inches or more
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Chile; worldwide in temperate waters
Habitat: Coastal waters
Lion’s Mane Jellyfish
Cyanea Capillata
Other Common Names: Sea Blubber, Red Jellyfish
Average Size: Bell is 20 inches or more, Tentacles are 30 inches
Lifespan:
Range: Pt. Barrow, Alaska to southern California; Arctic to Florida and Mexico
Habitat: Coastal waters
Moon Jellyfish
Aurelia labiata
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 3 inches high, 8 inches in diameter
Lifespan: 1 year
Range: Alaska to Oregon (northern variant); Oregon to central California
Habitat: Coastal waters, bays, and harbors
Sea Pens
Orange Sea Pen
Ptilosarcus gurneyi
Other Common Names: Gurney’s Sea Pen, Fleshy Sea Pen
Average Size: 18 inches high, 4 inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Prince William Sound, Alaska to central California
Habitat: Intertidal, common in shallow subtidal to 330’ or more
Zoanthids
Orange Zoanthid
Epizoanthus scotinus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 2 inches high, colonies to several feet (1-2 m) wide
Lifespan:
Range: Western Aleutian Islands to Puget Sound
Habitat: On rocks, intertidal and subtidal
Polychaetes
Eighteen-Scaled Worm
Halosydna brevitsetosa
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 2 ¾ inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Kodiak Island, Alaska to Northern Baja California, Mexico
Habitat: Free-moving, on floats, in mussel beds, in encrusting growths, intertidal to 1,790’
Fringed Filament-Worm
Dodecaceria fewkesi
Other Common Names: Fewke’s Fringed Worm
Average Size: 1 5/8 inches long, 1/8 inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: British Columbia to southern California
Habitat: Rocky, current swept areas; intertidal to 65’
Red-Trumpet Calcareous Worm
Serpula columbiana
Other Common Names: Red Tube Worm
Average Size: Limy tubes are 4 inches long, worm is 4 inches wide, plume is ¾ inches across
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to southern California
Habitat: Rocks, pilings, or floats, usually on the underside; intertidal to more than 330’
Vancouver Feather-Duster
Eudistylia vancouveri
Other Common Names: Northern Feather Duster Worm
Average Size: Tubes are 24 inches high, ½ in diameter, worm is 6 inches long, plumes are 2 inches across
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to central California
Habitat: Rocks and floats, intertidal to 65’ or more
Split Branch Feather-Duster
Schizobranchia insignis
Other Common Names: Split-Plume Feather Duster, Feather Duster Worm
Average Size: 10-20 centimeters long and 5-10 millimeters in diameter
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Central California
Habitat: Pilings and rocks, intertidal 46 m, wharves
Slime Fan Worm
Myxicola infundibulum
Other Common Names: Slime Tube Worm, Slime Feather Duster
Average Size: 8 inches long, 1 ¼ inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Along the Pacific Coast
Habitat: Crevices between rocks, intertidal to 1,400’
Curly-Head Spaghetti Worm
Thelepus crispus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 70-280 mm in length
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to California
Habitat: Sandy mud among stones, rocky intertidal, underside or between rocks
Tunicates
Bristly Tunicate
Halocynthia igaboja
Other Common Names: Bristly Sea Squirt, Spiny Sea Squirt/Tunicate
Average Size: 4 inches in diameter
Lifespan:
Range: Japan; Alaska to Channel Islands, California
Habitat: Rocks, intertidal to 540’
Glassy Tunicate
Ascidia paratropa
Other Common Names: Glassy Sea Squirt
Average Size: 6 inches high
Lifespan:
Range: Aleutian Islands to southern Monterey, California
Habitat: Rocks in current areas, intertidal to 265’
Mushroom Tunicate
Distaplia occidentalis
Other Common Names: Mushroom Ascidian
Average Size: 1 ½ inches high and 4 inches across
Lifespan:
Range: Vancouver Island to San Diego, California
Habitat: Rocks in surge or currents, among roots of surfgrass, intertidal to 50’
Orange Social Tunicate
Metandrocarpa taylori
Other Common Names: Orange Social Ascidians, Taylor’s colonial tunicate
Average Size: Individual: ¼ high and in diameter, groups to 8 inches across
Lifespan:
Range: British Columbia to San Diego, California
Habitat: Rocks in current areas
Pacific Sea Peach
Halocynthia aurantium
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 6 inches high
Lifespan:
Range: Chukchi Sea, Arctic to Puget Sound
Habitat: Rocks, subtidal to 330’
Pale Mushroom Compound Tunicate
Aplidiopsis pannosum
Shiny Red Tunicate
Cnemidocarpa finmarkiensis
Other Common Names: Shiny Orange Sea Squirt, Broad-Base Sea Squirt/Tunicate
Average Size: 3 inches high, 2 inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Point Conception, California; Asian and Arctic waters
Habitat: Rocks, intertidal to 165’
Transparent Disc-Top Tunicate
Chelyosoma columbianum
Transparent Tunicate
Corella willmeriana
Other Common Names: Transparent Sea Squirt
Average Size: 2 inches high
Lifespan:
Range: Sitka, Alaska to Monterey Bay, California
Habitat: Floats and rocks, intertidal to 165’
Warty Tunicate
Pyura haustor
Other Common Names: Wrinkled Sea Squirt, Warty Sea Squirt
Average Size: 3 inches high, 3 inches in diameter
Lifespan:
Range: Aleutian Islands to San Diego, California
Habitat: Rocks, intertidal to 660’ and more
Brachiopods
Transverse Lamp Shell
Terebratalia transversa
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 1 ¼ inches
Lifespan:
Range: Kodiak Island, Alaska to Ensenada, Mexico
Habitat: Rocks and rock faces, intertidal to 5,575’
Bryzoans
Kelp-Encrusting Bryozoan
Membranipora villosa
Other Common Names: Kelp Lace Bryozoan
Average Size: 1 millimeter high, up to 20 centimeters in diameter
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Baja California
Habitat: Kelps and other algae at a depth of 180m, rocks, floats
Spiral Bryozoan
Bugulina californica
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 2 ¾ inches high
Lifespan:
Range: British Columbia to Galapagos Islands; Hawaii
Habitat: Rocks and shells, shallow subtidal to 1,320’
Nemertea
Six-Lined Ribbon Worm
Tubulanus sexlineatus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 8 inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Sitka, Alaska to southern California
Habitat: Among mussels, algae, and growths on rocks or floats; intertidal to 50’
Phoronids
White Colonial Phoronid
Phoronis ijimai
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Length of 120 millimeters, diameter of 2 millimeters
Lifespan:
Range: Pacific Ocean
Habitat: Brackish water
Platyhelminthes
Giant Flat Worm
Kaburakia excelsa
Other Common Names: Leaf Worm
Average Size:
Lifespan:
Range: Sitka, Alaska to Newport Harbor, California
Habitat: Mussel beds, under rocks, on pilings, seaweeds
Sponges
Bowerbank’s Crumb of Bread Sponge
Halichondria bowerbanki
Other Common Names: Bread Crumb Sponge
Average Size: 2 inches high, more than 12 inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to southern California
Habitat: Shallow subtidal, rocks in current areas
Hermit Crab Sponge
Suberites domuncula
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Lumps to 3 inches high and wide
Lifespan:
Range: Gulf of Alaska to San Diego, California
Habitat: Shells inhabited by hermit crabs, lumps on rocks, low intertidal to 120’
Rough Scallop Sponge
Myxilla incrustans
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 3/8 inches thick
Lifespan:
Range: Arctic Ocean to southern California; Japan
Habitat: Shells of scallop
Smooth Scallop Sponge
Mycale adhaerens
Other Common Names:
Average Size: 3/8 inches thick
Lifespan:
Range: Bering Sea to Washington
Habitat: On shells of scallop
Tough Yellow Branching Sponge
Syringella amphispicula
Velvet Red Sponge
Ophlitaspongia pennata
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Crust to ¼ thick, 3 inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Gulf of California
Habitat: High intertidal to 295’, rocks
Yellow Boring Sponge
Cliona californiana
Other Common Names: Sulfur Sponge
Average Size: Yellow patches protrude from holes to 1/6 – 1/8 inches in diameter
Lifespan:
Range: Pacific coast
Habitat: Shells, encrusting patches on rock, in limestone rock, low intertidal to 400’
Bivalves
California Mussel
Mytilus californianus
Other Common Names: Sea mussel, Ribbed mussel
Average Size: 10 inches high
Lifespan:
Range: Cook Inlet, Alaska to Punta Rompiente, Baja California, Mexico
Habitat: Beds on surf-exposed rocks, wharves and sea mounts, intertidal to 330’
Giant Rock Scallop
Crassadoma gigantea
Other Common Names: Purple-hinged, Giant Scallop, Rock Scallop
Average Size: 10 inches high
Lifespan: Longer than 20 years
Range: Prince William Sound, Alaska to southern Baja California
Habitat: Rocky bottoms, crevices, under boulders, intertidal 260’
Heart Cockle
Clinocardium nuttallii
Other Common Names: Nuttall’s Cockle, Basket Cockle
Average Size: 5 ½ inches
Lifespan: 16 years
Range: Southern Bering Sea to San Diego, California
Habitat: In sand-gravel in sheltered waters, intertidal to 100’
Horse Clam
Tresus capax
Other Common Names: Fat Gaper, Fat Horse Clam, Alaskan Gaper, Summer Clam, Otter Clam
Average Size: 7 inches long
Lifespan: 19 years
Range: Cook Inlet, Gulf of Alaska to Oceano, California
Habitat: Compact sand-mud, intertidal to 100’
Jingle Shell Oyster
Pododesmus machrochisma
Other Common Names: Green False-Jingle, rock oyster, Jingle Shells, Blister Shells
Average Size: 5 ¼ inches
Lifespan:
Range: Bering Sea to southern Baja California; Gulf of California
Habitat: Attached to rocks and other solid objects, intertidal to 295’
Pacific Blue Mussel
Mytilus trossulus
Other Common Names: Edible Mussel, Bay Mussel
Average Size: 4 ½ inches
Lifespan: 17 years
Range: Arctic to Mexico
Habitat: Sheltered, quiet locations; intertidal 16’; forms dense masses on hard surfaces attached to strong byssal threads
Pacific Littleneck
Protothaca staminea
Other Common Names: Rock cockle, Native Littleneck
Average Size: 3 inches
Lifespan: 8-14 years
Range: Aleutian Islands south to southern Baja California
Habitat: Buried 4 inches or more in gravel/sand/muddy bottoms, mid-intertidal to 35’
Rock Entodesma
Entodesma navicula
Other Common Names: Northwest ugly clam, wrinkled rock clam
Average Size: Shell – 10 cm
Lifespan:
Range: Northern Alaska to northern Mexico
Habitat: Holes and crevices in rocks, giant barnacles, kelp holdfasts, low intertidal and subtidal to a depth of 20 m
Spiny Pink Scallop
Chlamys hastata
Other Common Names: Pink scallop, Pacific pink scallop, Swimming scallop
Average Size: 3 ¼ inches high
Lifespan:
Range: Gulf of Alaska to San Diego, California
Habitat: Rocky reefs in shallow water
Washington Butter Clam
Saxidomus gigantea
Other Common Names: Butter clam, Smooth Washington Clam
Average Size: 5 ¼ inches
Lifespan: 20 years or more
Range: Southeast Bering Sea to central California
Habitat: Buried 12 inches in gravel/sand/mud of protected bays, mid to lower intertidal to 130’
Cephalopods
Giant Pacific Octopus
Enteroctopus dofleini
Other Common Names: GPO’s
Average Size: Mantle to 8 inches, arm span to 30 inches
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Range: Bering Sea to California; Japan
Habitat: Sandy and rocky shores, intertidal to 330’
Opalescent Squid
Loligo opalescens
Other Common Names: Opal squid, Market squid
Average Size: Mantle to 8 inches, total length to 11 inches
Lifespan:
Range: Northern British Columbia to Mexico
Habitat: Coastal waters, shallow waters in sandy bays where species returns to spawn
Pacific Red Octopus
Octopus rubescens
Other Common Names: Red Octopus, Ruby octopus
Average Size: Mantle to 4 inches, total length to 20 inches
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Baja California; Gulf of California
Habitat: In sand, rocky areas, intertidal to 660’
Stubby Squid
Rossia pacifica
Other Common Names: Short Squid
Average Size: Mantle to 1 ½ inches, 8 arms and 2 tentacles around the same length, total length around 6 inches
Lifespan:
Range: Bering Sea to California; Japan
Habitat: In sand-mud, shrimp grounds, subtidal to 50-1215’
Chitons
Black Katy Chiton
Katharina tunicata
Other Common Names: Leather chiton, Black Chiton, Sea Prune, Small Chinese slippers
Average Size: 6 inches
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to southern California
Habitat: Exposed wave-swept and current areas, mid-intertidal
Gumboot Chiton
Cryptochiton stelleri
Other Common Names: Giant Pacific Chiton, Giant red chiton, Moccasin chiton, Butterfly shells, Sgiidaa (Haida name meaning “lying face down forever”)
Average Size: 14 inches
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Channel Islands, California
Habitat: Intertidal to 65’
Lined Chiton
Tonicella lineata
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 2 inches
Lifespan:
Range: Aleutian Islands, Alaska to Channel Islands, California; Japan; Siberia
Habitat: Rocks, grazing on encrusting coralline algae. Depressions under Purple sea urchins, intertidal to 300’
Mossy Chiton
Mopalia muscosa
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 4 inches
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Isla Cedros, Baja California
Habitat: Tidepools, on top of rocks,
Northern Hairy Chiton
Mopalia kennerleyi
Other Common Names: Hairy Chiton
Average Size: 3 inches
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Baja California
Habitat: Protected areas, under rocks, mussel beds, mid-to-low intertidal
Coiled Snails
- Aleutian Moonsnail – Cryptonatica aleutica
- Black Turban – Tegula funebralis
- Blue Topsnail – Calliostoma ligatum
- Checkered Hairysnail – Trichotropsis cancellata
- Leafy Hornmouth – Ceratostoma foliatum
- Lewis’ Moonsnail – Neverita lewisii
- Oregon Triton – Fusitriton oregonensis
- Wrinkled Dogwinkle – Nucella lamellosa
- Wrinkled Amphissa – Amphissa columbiana
Nudibranchs
- Barnacle-Eating Nudibranch – Onchidoris bilamellata
- Giant Dendronotid – Dendronotus iris
- Hooded Nudibranch – Melibe leonina
- Noble Sea Lemon – Peltodoris nobilis
- Opalescent Nudibranch – Hermissenda crassicornis
- Orange and White Tipped Nudibranch – Janolus fuscus
- Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch – Aeolidia papillosa
- Giant White Nudibranch – Doris odhneri
- Red Sponge Dorid – Rostanga pulchra
- Pacific Ancula – Ancula gibbosa
- Banded Polycera – Palio dubia
- Leopard Dorid – Diaulula sandiegensis
- Monterey Sea Lemon – Doris montereyensis
- White-Lined Dirona – Dirona albolineata
Univalves
- Keyhole Limpet – Diodora aspera
- Mask Limpet – Tectura persona
Barnacles
Common Acorn Barnacle
Balanus glandula
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: ¾ inches high and wide
Lifespan:
Range: Aleutian Islands to Mexico, Cosmopolitan
Habitat: Rocks, floats, pilings
Crenate Barnacle
Balanus crenatus
Other Common Names: Wrinkled Barnacle
Average Size: 25 millimeters across
Lifespan:
Range: North Pacific Ocean and North Atlantic Ocean
Habitat: Intertidal and sublittoral zones of the North Pacific and North Atlantic; under stones and overhangs on the lower shore; calm and exposed waters; depths of 60 meters; strong currents, around pebbles, bedrock, shells and artificial structures
Giant Acorn Barnacle
Balanus nubilus
Other Common Names: Giant Barnacle
Average Size: 5 inches high, 4 inches wide, clusters to 12 inches or more high and across
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to southern California
Habitat: Rocks and other hard surfaces, intertidal to 300’
Goose-neck Barnacle
Pollicipes polymerus
Other Common Names: Goose Barnacle, Leaf Barnacle
Average Size: Stalk to 6 inches high, 1 1/8 inches wide at crown
Lifespan:
Range: British Columbia to Baja California
Habitat: Open ocean coasts, intertidal and occasionally in currents to 100’ or more
Thatched Acorn Barnacle
Semibalanus cariosus
Other Common Names: Thatched Barnacle
Average Size: 2 ½ inches high, 2 3/8 inches in diameter
Lifespan: 15 years
Range: Alaska to southern California; Japan
Habitat: Rocks, intertidal and subtidal to 180’
Crabs
Black-Clawed Crab
Lophopanopeus bellus
Other Common Names: Black-Clawed Shore Crab
Average Size: Carapace to 1 ½ inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Resurrection Bay, Alaska to northern Mexico
Habitat: Under rocks, partially buried in gravel-sand, intertidal
Butterfly Crab
Cryptolithodes typicus
Other Common Names: Umbrella Crab, Turtle Crab
Average Size: Carapace to 3 inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Amchitka, Alaska to Santa Rosa Island, California
Habitat: Rocks, low intertidal to 150’
Umbrella Crab
Cryptolithodes sitchensis
Other Common Names: Turtle Crab
Average Size: Carapace to 4 inches
Lifespan:
Range: Sitka, Alaska, to Point Loma, California
Habitat: Rocks, low intertidal to 60’
Cryptic Kelp Crab
Pugettia richii
Other Common Names: Spider Crab
Average Size: Carapace to 1 5/8 inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Prince of Wales Island, Alaska to Baja California
Habitat: Rocky shores of exposed coast, intertidal to 320’
Dungeness Crab
Metacarcinus magister
Other Common Names: Pacific edible crab, Commercial crab
Average Size: Carapace to 10 inches wide; Females to 7 inches wide
Lifespan: 8-13 years
Range: Pribilof Islands, Alaska to Santa Barbara, California
Habitat: Sand-mud, eelgrass beds, intertidal to 750’
Graceful Crab
Metacarcinus gracilis
Other Common Names: Slender Cancer Crab
Average Size: Carapace to 4 ½ inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Prince William Sound, Alaska to Mexico
Habitat: In sand-mud, intertidal to 470’
Graceful Decorator Crab
Oregonia gracilis
Other Common Names: Slender Decorator Crab
Average Size: Carapace to 1 ½ inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Bering Sea to Monterey, California
Habitat: Rocks, intertidal to 1,430’
Graceful Kelp Crab
Pugettia gracilis
Other Common Names: Slender Kelp Crab, Spider Crab
Average Size: Carapace to 1 3/8 inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Aleutian Islands to Monterey, California
Habitat: In eelgrass and kelp on rocky shores, intertidal to 460’
Heart Crab
Phylolithodes papillosus
Other Common Names: Heart Lithodid, Papilla Crab, Flat Spined Triangle Crab
Average Size: Carapace to 3 ½ inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Dutch Harbor, Alaska to southern California
Habitat: On rocky reefs with currents, shallow subtidal to 600’
Helmet Crab
Telmessus cheiragonus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Carapace to 4 inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Monterey, California; Japan
Habitat: Eelgrass beds, algae, in sediment, intertidal to 360’
Northern Kelp Crab
Pugettia producta
Other Common Names: Spider Crab
Average Size: Carapace to 3 ½ inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Prince of Wales Island, Alaska to Baja California
Habitat: Kelp beds, pilings intertidal to 240’
Pygmy Red Rock Crab
Cancer oregonensis
Other Common Names: Hairy Cancer Crab, Oregon Cancer Crab, Pygmy Cancer Crab, Pygmy Rock Crab
Average Size: Carapace to 2 inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Pribilof Islands, Alaska to Palos Verdes, California
Habitat: In small holes, giant barnacle shells, low intertidal to 1335’
Red Rock Crab
Cancer productus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Carapace to 8 inches wide; female to 6 ¼ inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Kodiak, Alaska, to Isla San Martin, Baja California
Habitat: Eelgrass, gravel, rocky areas, intertidal to 260’
Rhinoceros Crab
Rhinolithodes wosnessenskii
Other Common Names: Golf-Ball Crab
Average Size: Carapace to 2 ½ inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Aleutian Islands to northern California
Habitat: On rock walls, subtidal to 20-240’
Sharpnose Crab
Scyra acutifrons
Other Common Names: Sharp-Nosed Crab
Average Size: Carapace to 1 ¾ inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Cook Inlet, Alaska to San Carlos Point, Mexico
Habitat: Rocky areas, low intertidal to 720’
Purple Shore Crab
Hemigrapsus nudus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Carapace to 2 ¼ inches wide
Lifespan:
Range: Yakobi Island, Alaska to Mexico
Habitat: Under rocks, intertidal
Hermit Crabs
Bering Hermit
Pagarus beringanus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Carapace to 1 inch long
Lifespan:
Range: Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands to Monterey, California
Habitat: Rocky areas, intertidal to 1,195’
Blackeyed Hermit
Pagarus armatus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Carapace to 1 5/8 inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Dutch Harbor, Alaska to San Diego, California
Habitat: Sand bottom, intertidal to 480’
Steven’s Sponge Hermit
Pagarus stevensae
Other Common Names: Steven’s Hermit Crab
Average Size: Carapace to 5/8 inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Aleutian Islands, Alaska to Puget Sound
Habitat: Mud, sand or gravel bottom; in sponge-covered shell; 16’ to 650’
Widehand Hermit
Elassochirus tenuimanus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Carapace to 1 ½ inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Aleutian Islands to Puget Sound
Habitat: Mud, sand, gravel, and shell bottom; intertidal to 1275’
Shrimps
Barred Shrimp
Heptacarpus pugettensis
Other Common Names: Puget Coastal Shrimp
Average Size: 2 centimeters
Lifespan:
Range: Sitka, Alaska; Columbia to Morro Bay, California
Habitat: Under boulders in rocky intertidal, floating docks
Candy Stripe Shrimp
Lebbeus grandimanus
Other Common Names: Clown Shrimp
Average Size: Carapace to 3/8 inches long, body to 1 ¾ inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Bering Sea to Puget Sound
Habitat: Base of Crimson Anemone, Painted Anemone, Fish-eating Anemone, and Columbia Sand Anemone; depths of 20-590’
Coonstripe Shrimp
Pandalus danae
Other Common Names: Dock Shrimp, Coon-Striped Shrimp, Dana’s All-Shining Shrimp
Average Size: Carapace to 1 ¼ inches long, body to 5 ½ inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Resurrection Bay, Alaska to Point Loma, California
Habitat: Pilings, floats, intertidal to 605’
Horned Shrimp
Paracrangon echinata
Other Common Names: Spike Shrimp
Average Size: Carapace to ½ inches long, body to 2 5/8 inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Port Etches, Alaska, to La Jolla, California
Habitat: Soft bottoms, in algae, subtidal 23-660’
Pacific Spot Shrimp
Pandalus platyceros
Other Common Names: Spot Prawn, Spot Shrimp
Average Size: Carapace to 2 3/8 inches long, body to 10 inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Unalaska Island, Alaska to San Diego, California
Habitat: Rocky bottom, intertidal to 1600’
Brittle Stars
Daisy Brittle Star
Ophiopholis aculeata
Other Common Names: Painted Brittle Star
Average Size: Disc to 7/8 inches diameter, Arm radius to 3 ½ inches
Lifespan:
Range: Bering Sea to Santa Barbara, California
Habitat: Under rocks, in kelp holdfasts, intertidal to 6600’
Gray Brittle Star
Ophiura lutkeni
Other Common Names: Grey Brittle Star
Average Size: Disc to ¾ inches diameter, arm radius to 6 inches
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Mexico
Habitat: Sand-mud, intertidal and subtidal to 4185’
Sea Cucumbers
Armored Sea Cucumber
Psolus chitonoides
Other Common Names: Creeping Pedal Sea Cucumber, Slipper Sea Cucumber
Average Size: 2 ¾ inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Aleutian Islands to Baja California; Japan
Habitat: Rocks, currents, intertidal to 810’
California Sea Cucumber
Parastichopus californicus
Other Common Names: Giant Red Sea Cucumber, Knob Cod
Average Size: 20 inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Gulf of Alaska to Cedros Island, Baja California, Mexico
Habitat: Variety of habitats, intertidal to 825’
Orange Sea Cucumber
Cucumaria miniata
Other Common Names: Red Sea Cucumber, Vermillion Sea Cucumber
Average Size: 10 inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Aleutian Islands to northern Mexico
Habitat: Body between and under rocks with tentacles showing, intertidal to 740’
Salt and Pepper Sea Cucumber
Cucumaria piperata
Other Common Names: Peppered Sea Cucumber
Average Size: 5 inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Haida Gwaii, British Columbia to Baja California, Mexico
Habitat: Between rocks and cobble, shallow subtidal to 825’
Stiff-Footed White Cucumber
Eupentacta quinquesemita
Other Common Names: White Sea Cucumber
Average Size: 4 inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Sitka, Alaska to Baja California
Habitat: Between rocks, exposed, in currents, intertidal to 180’
Tiny Black Sea Cucumber
Cucumaria vegae
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: 1 ½ inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Southeast Alaska to Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), British Columbia
Habitat: Rocky coasts, intertidal mats
White Sea Cucumber
Cucumaria pallida
Other Common Names: Pale Sea Cucumber
Average Size: 10 inches long
Lifespan:
Range: Auke Bay, Alaska to Santa Rosa Island, California
Habitat: Body fixed between rocks with tentacles showing, intertidal to 300’
Sea Stars
Blood Star
Henricia leviuscula
Other Common Names: Pacific Henricia
Average Size: Arms to 13 inches across
Lifespan:
Range: Aleutian Islands to Turtle Bay, Baja California
- Habitat: Rocky surfaces, intertidal to 1435’
Cushion Star
Pteraster tesselatus
Other Common Names: Slime Star
Average Size: Arms to 10 inches across
Lifespan:
Range: Bering Sea to Monterey Bay, California
Habitat: On broken or solid rock at 20 – 1,430
Giant Spiny Pink Star
Pisaster brevispinus
Other Common Names: Short-spined sea star
Average Size: Arms to 3 inches across
Lifespan:
Range: Sitka, Alaska to Santa Barbara, California
Habitat: On soft surfaces, intertidal to 420’
Leather Star
Dermasterias imbricata
Other Common Names: Garlic Star
Average Size: Arms to 12 inches across
Lifespan:
Range: Sitka, Alaska to northern Mexico
Habitat: Rocks in protected waters, intertidal to 300’
Mottled Star
Evasterias troschelii
Other Common Names: False Ochre Star
Average Size: Arms to 30 inches across
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Monterey, California; south of Puget Sound (less common)
Habitat: On rocks and cobble, in sand (sometimes), intertidal to 250’
Purple Star
Pisaster ochraceus
Other Common Names: Ochre Star, Purple Sea Star, Common Sea Star
Average Size: Arms to 20 inches
Lifespan: 20 years or more
Range: Sitka, Alaska to Cedros Island, Baja California, Mexico
Habitat:
Rose Star
Crossaster papposus
Other Common Names: Spiny Sunstar, Snowflake Star
Average Size: Arms to 14 inches across
Lifespan:
Range: Circumpolar, Arctic to Washington
Habitat: On rocks, intertidal to 4,000’
Spiny Red Star
Hippasteria spinosa
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Arms to 13 ½ inches across
Lifespan:
Range: Kodiak Island, Alaska to southern California
Habitat: Sand, mud, shell, and rock; 33 – 1716’
Striped Sun Star
Solaster stimpsoni
Other Common Names: Stimpson’s Sunstar
Average Size: Arms to 20 inches
Lifespan:
Range: South Bering Sea to Oregon; Japan
Habitat: On rocks and other hard surfaces, to 197’, often intertidal
Vermillion Star
Mediaster aequalis
Other Common Names: Equal-arm star
Average Size: Arms to 8 inches across
Lifespan:
Range: Chagnik Bay, Alaska to northern Mexico
Habitat: On rocks, intertidal to 960’
Urchins
Eccentric Sand Dollar
Dendraster excentricus
Other Common Names: West Coast Sand Dollar
Average Size: 4 inches in diameter
Lifespan: 13 years
Range: Alaska to Baja California
Habitat: Sheltered habitats, open coast, in sand, intertidal to 130’
Green Sea Urchin
Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Test (shell) diameter to 3 ½ inches, to 1 ½ inches high
Lifespan:
Range: Circumpolar, Alaska to Washington
Habitat: Rocky shores, kelp beds, intertidal to 3800’
Purple Sea Urchin
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Test (shell) diameter to 3 ½ inches, 1 ¾ inches high
Lifespan:
Range: Southern Alaska to Mexico
Habitat: Rocks on exposed coasts, intertidal to 525’
Red Sea Urchin
Strongylocentrotus franciscanus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Test (shell) diameter to 6 inches, 2 inches high
Lifespan:
Range: Alaska to Mexico
Habitat: Rocky shores and kelp beds, intertidal to 410’
White Sea Urchin
Strongylocentrotus pallidus
Other Common Names: N/A
Average Size: Test (shell) diameter to 3 ½ inches, 1 ¾ inches high
Lifespan:
Range: Northern Alaska to Oregon
Habitat: On rocks, subtidal to 65’ and deeper