Snubnose sculpin, 8-10 cm; large head tapering to tail; color variable (can change to match background) usually mottled reds, oranges, whites, browns, lavenders; scales along lateral line have thread-like extensions. 

Abundant, benthic on or near rocky substrate; darts quickly from perch to perch if disturbed; territorial & probably homes to specific site if displaced.

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Large head tapering to tail, 30-65 cm; no scales; red, brown or green with dark mottling; prominent pair of cirri behind eyes; single flap-like cirrus at tip of snout.

Common, perched on rocky substrate, often camouflaged in algae. Feeds on invertebrates; can remove and swallow young abalone whole; males guard egg masses which are laced with tetrodotoxin. Lifespan to 13 yr.

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Sailfin sculpin, 15-20 cm; anterior dorsal fin very tall, 2nd dorsal fin long & ruffled; black band runs through eye.

Uncommon, perched on or near rocky substrate; nocturnal.

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Kelp rockfish, 20-30 cm; olive brown to nearly white with varying degrees of dark mottling; head & dorsum usually darker. 

Abundant, demersal or hanging next to kelp plants, often in groups of several individuals; spines contain mild toxin. Lifespan to 25 yr; recruitment often stronger in El Niño years.

Brown rockfish, 30-56 cm; heavy-bodied, brownish with dark brown mottling; with dark spot on back edge of gill operculum.

Moderately common, demersal in rocky areas. Lifespan to 34 yr.

Black rockfish, 40-69 cm; dark gray with light gray along whole length of lateral line; mouth extends back beyond posterior edge of eye; posterior edge of anal fin rounded, not straight.

Common, in shallower regions of kelp forest in midwater; often in groups. Lifespan to 50 yr.

Blue rockfish, 32-53 cm; blue-gray with dark speckling; no obvious light area along lateral line; mouth smaller not extending beyond posterior edge of eye, trailing edge of anal fin straight, not rounded. 

Abundant in water column throughout kelp forest depths; only schooling rockfish in Monterey kelp forests. Lifespan to 44 yr.

Black & yellow rockfish, 20-39 cm; conspicuous black and yellow markings across body, with very irregular clear area along posterior two-thirds of lateral line.

Common, in shallower depths; demersal, usually perched in crevices or on rocks; solitary & territorial. Lifespan 20-30 yr.

China rockfish, 30-45 cm; dark blue-brown with yellow stripe along lateral line that arches across top of body near front of dorsal fin; numerous yellow and white splotches & speckles.

Uncommon, demersal in rocky areas. Solitary & territorial. Lifespan to 79 yr.

Treefish, 35-41 cm; yellow to yellow-green body with 5-6  dark vertical bars, 2 oblique bars radiate back from eye; lips pinkish-red.

Uncommon, in rocky areas; nocturnal or crepuscular; often in crevices during daylight hours.  Solitary & probably territorial. Lifespan to 23 yr.

Gopher rockfish, 30-42 cm; golden brown & cream markings across body, irregular light patches along posterior two-thirds of lateral line.

Common, in deeper depths at outer edges of kelp; demersal, usually perched in crevices or on rocks; solitary & territorial. Lifespan 20-30 yr.

Copper rockfish, 30-66 cm; deep-bodied, golden brown & cream markings with distinct sharp-edged rectangular clear area along posterior two-thirds of lateral line & horizontal pale yellow bar behind eye.

Moderately common, in deeper depths at outer edges of kelp. Lifespan to 50 yr.

Canary rockfish, 60-76 cm; adults mottled bright orange over grayish background with thin white stripe along lateral line from gill operculum to tail.  Juveniles (photo) with dark spot at posterior end of first dorsal fin.  Leading edge of pelvic fins white.

Adults uncommon at diving depths, juveniles seasonally common in shallower areas, but move deeper as they grow.  Lifespan to 84 yr.

Olive rockfish, 40-61 cm; streamlined profile lacking spines on head; dark brown or brownish green above lateral line broken by large irregular white spots; belly pale; fins and tail olive-yellow; anal fin with 9 soft rays (last one double).

Moderately common; usually solitary up in water column well above bottom near edges of kelp forest. Lifespan 30 yr.

Yellowtail rockfish, 40-68 cm; streamlined profile, dark brown or greenish brown above lateral line broken by large irregular white patches; tan-yellow below; fins and tail yellow; scales with red-brown flecks; anal fin with 8 soft rays (last one double).

Uncommon in kelp forests, more often in schools well offshore from kelp & in deeper water. Lifespan 64 yr.

Variously colored, often in large groups in water column within borders of kelp forest, especially in spring & summer. Prey for many adult fishes (including other rockfishes).

Ling cod, to 180 cm; elongate body bluish-gray with brown spots; large mouth full of sharp needle-like teeth.

Moderately common, but sporadic; benthic, usually solitary. Males guard egg masses. Voracious predators, mostly on fish, but also octopus & other invertebrates. Lifespan to 20 yr.

Kelp greenling, 25-45 cm with 5 lateral lines; females yellowish-tan to light brown with many dark red speckles; males (inset) tan to pale with blue spots surrounded by smaller red spots on head & forebody.  Large pectoral fins.

Moderately common, on rocky substrate in and around kelp forests.

Painted greenling, 15-25 cm; 5-7 red-brown vertical bars; single lateral line; pointed snout with small mouth.

Common, benthic in rocky areas.  Males guard egg masses aggressively. Lifespan to 8 yr.