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Coon striped Shrimp Pandalus danae There are 87 species of shrimp in Northwest waters but only seven are caught commercially. All seven are in the family Pandalidae. Coon striped shrimp are not a commercial species although they are taken as incidental catch in trawl and trap fishery for Shrimp. They have an interesting life cycle as they spend the early part of the life Year (1 and 2) as males but the latter part of their life as females. They feed on small crustaceans such as mycids, euphausiids and copepods. OSU zoologists who are looking at escape responses of prey from predators study the red rock crab, Cancer productus. Researchers are studying metamorphosis (changes in form) and early mortality in Dover sole ( ) and Pacific sanddab ( ) Because nudibranchs have large neural axons (nerve impulse conductors), scientists can insert electrodes to record nerve activity in free moving individuals. REDTAIL SURFPERCH - Amphistichus rhodoterus Since 1987, researchers from the Department of Fish and Wildlife at OSU have been studying how different water temperatures during pregnancy affects reproduction and population abundance. PACIFIC OYSTER - Crassostrea gigas Researchers here at the Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) are developing an artificial diet to feed oysters. This diet, composed of small beads called microcapsules, will contain all the nutrients necessary for healthy growth and development of oyster larvae and spat. SEA HARES - Aplysia californica Researchers at the Hatfield Marine Science Center use sea hares to learn how brain cells are involved in the learning process, and more fundamentally, in how nerve cells are involved in generating many different types of behaviors. This has led to new theories about how brains work in general, bringing together such diverse fields as chemistry, neurobiology, physics and the chaos theory. COHO SALMON - Oncorhynchus kisutch Infectious diseases have a large impact on salmon fisheries in the Pacific Northwest. Research is currently underway at the Hatfield Marine Science Center to help us better understand some on these diseases, and hopefully will lead to a better ability to control these diseases in the future. Coho salmon are among the species of salmonids that are currently being used in this research European green crab (Carcinus maenas) - This inadvertently introduced species may adversely affect native populations of clams, mussels, oysters or other crabs. Pile perch (Rhacochilus vacca) and Redtail surfperch (Amphistichus rhodoterrus) give birth to live young. Dulse (Palmaria mollis), a type of red algae, is used by OSU researchers in aquaculture systems designed to raise red abalone (Haliotis rufescens). Scientists’ quest for new medicines has led to marine algae, such as Laminaria. Compounds that may serve as anti-inflammatory or anticancer drugs are being isolated from common seaweed. Both the large plumose anemone (Metridium senile) and the much smaller pink tipped green anemone (Anthopleura elegantissima) use stinging cells called nematocysts to capture their prey. Orange cup corals (Balanophyllia elegans) and zoanthids (Epizoanthus scotinus) grow in clonal clusters of genetically identical individuals. Scientific Name: Common Name: Agnonopsis vulsa Northern Spearnose Poacher Amphistichus rhodoterus Redtail Surfperch Anarrhichthys ocellatus Wolf-Eel Anoplarchus purpurescens High Coxcomb Anoplopoma fimbria Sablefish Apodichthys flavidus Penpoint Gunnel Atherinops affinis Topsmelt Aulorrhybchus Tube-snout Cebidichthys violaceus Monkeyface Prickleback Clinocottus globiceps Mosshead Sculpin Coryphopterus nicholsii Blackeye Goby Cymatogaster aggregata Shiner Surfperch Embiotoca lateralis Striped Surfperch Enophrys bison Buffalo Sculpin Gasterosteus aculeatus Threespine Stickleback Hemilepidotus spinosus Brown Irish Lord Hexagrammos decagrammus Kelp Greenling Hexagrammos stelleri Whitespotted Greenling Hyperprosopon ellipticum Silver Perch Leptocottus armatus Pacific Staghorn Sculpin Odontopyxis trispinosa Pygmy Poacher Oligocottus snyderi Tidepool Sculpin Oncorhynchus kisutch Coho Salmon Onocorhynchus tshawytscha Chinook Salmon Ophiodon elongatus Lingcod Oxylebius pictus Painted Greenling Parophyrus vetulus English Sole Phanerodon furcatus White Sea Perch Pleuronichthys coenosus C-O Sole Psettichthys melanostictus Sand Sole Raja binoculata Big Skate Scorpaenichthys marmoratus Cabezone Sebastes caurinus Copper Rockfish Sebastes flavlidus Yellow Rockfish Sebastes maliger Quillback Rockfish Sebastes melanops Black Rockfish Sebastes miniatus Vermillion Rockfish Sebastes nebulosus China Rockfish Sebastes paucispinis Bocaccio Sebastes proriger Redstripe Rockfish Sebastes rastrelliger Grass Rockfish Sebastes ruberrimus Yelloweye Rockfish Syngnathus griseolineatus Pipefish Triakis semifasciata Leopard Shark Xiphister atropurpureus Black Prickleback Xiphister mucosus Rock Prickleback Wolf-Eel: *Long eel-like body that may reach 8 feet in length and 40 pounds. Color gray with circular patterns over entire body. Head with very large canine and molar teeth for crushing crabs and shellfish. •Common inhabitant of rocky reef and often found within a cave or crevice. Sablefish: •Elongate body that may reach a length of 40 inches. Color is blackish gray to white below. Found at depths to 6,000 feet. Maximum age of 53 years. •Important commercial fish for Oregon trawl, longline, and pot fishers. ODFW conducts extensive sampling of landings and research to determine depth distribution, and to aid in assessing stock condition. Topsmelt: *A small (to about 14 inches) slender, smelt-like fish found in large schools. It has a small mouth and it's first dorsal fin very small (in true smelt, the first dorsal fin is large). Color is blue gray to green above and silver below with brilliant silver band bordered above with blue. Maximum age is about 7 years. redtail surfperch: *Color is silver with olive-green or brassy mottling. It has about 10 vertical dark bars on side and a red tail. Length to 16 inches. Maximum age of about 14 years. *It is a livebear, producing large live young rather than laying eggs. *A common sport fish which is caught along open sandy beaches. *Extensive ODFW tagging and sport catch sampling is conducted to determine migration & possibly stock size. Shiner Surfperch: *A small surfperch species (length to 7 inches) that has sides with silvery horizontal bars separated by dark bars, and there are also three vertical yellow bars on the side. Spawning males are very dark. *It is easily caught by children fishing in bays. *Females release large, fully developed young. Striped Surfperch: *Dark colored surfperch (copper background color with dark brown overlay on back) that has over 15 dark blue horizontal stripes on it's side. Length to 15 inches. Maximum age is about 14 years. *It is found in bays along shallow, rocky shores and around pilings. *Females release large (about 2 inches long), fully developed young. Silver Surfperch: *Color is silver on sides and belly with a rose-pink tail. It has narrow, vertical, dusky bars on sides. Deeply forked tail. Length to 10.5 inches. Maximum age is about 6 or 7 years. *Found near open-coast beaches and adjacent bays. *Females release small 1-inch sized, fully developed young. White Surfperch: *It is predominately silver in color with dusky speckling on back and a thin black line at base of soft dorsal fin. It has a deeply forked tail. Length to 12.4 inches. Maximum age is about 7 years. *It is found along sandy bottoms of shallow bays and around pilings. Cabezone: *Large member of sculpin family that may reach 30 pounds and 39 inches. Large head. It is reddish to greenish in color with intense dark and light mottling. Larger paler areas frequently edged with darker shades. *Excellent eating fish taken by sport fishers and commercial hookand-line fishers. Important species in commercial live fish fishery. *Eggs are poisonous. Brown Irish Lord: *Moderate sized sculpin reaching 10 inches. Large head. It is brown in color, and is barred with 4 dark saddles over top half. Kelp Greenling (sea trout): *Female is gray-brown with bright golden to light brown small spots on body and head. Male is dark gray with large bright blue spots on head and sides. Length to 21 inches. Maximum age of __ years. *It is common in sport catches off rocky coastline and jetties. *Males guard egg masses found on rocky areas. *Valuable fish in commercial live fish fishery. Painted Greenling: *It has a grayish-brown body with brown and dark red vertical bars and mottling. This small greenling with an elongate pointed head is rarely over 6 inches. Whitespotted Greenling: *It is light brown to greenish, tinged with red and conspicuous white sport on body. Length to 19 inches. *It lives on shallow sandy bottoms near marine plants growing near rocky outcrops. *Gold colored males guard egg masses found on rocky areas. Lingcod: *It has a large head and elongate body. Color is variable, but with dark mottling in shades of brown, gray or green on the sides and paler below. Length to about 5-feet and over 50 pounds. Maximum age of 21 years. *Females move into near shore rocky areas to lay mass of eggs. Males fertilize the egg mass and then remain with the eggs to protect them from predators. *It is an important trophy fish for sport fishers because of large size and excellent food quality. *Common in commercial trawl and hook-and-line catches. Especially important and valuable in live fish fishery. *Extensive ODFW sampling takes place on commercial landings, and in 1977-78, ODFW tagged large numbers from Stonewall Bank (rockpile) off Newport and Seal Rock area to study movement. Restrictive catch regulations are now in place due to suspected poor stock condition. English Sole: *Body is flattened and has a uniform brown color on eyed side with a small mouth and pointed head. Maximum age of 22 years. *Young spend first year in very shallow waters including bays. *This is a common flatfish in commercial trawl catches from near shore waters (usually 100 to 500 feet). *ODFW has conducted extensive tagging off Newport to study fish movement, and commercial landings are sampled. C-O Sole: *Body is flattened and the eyed side of the fish is brown to light green. It has a dark spot and crescent markings on the tail form the "initials" C-O and also a black, eye sized spot on the middle of the body. It has a large mouth. *This is an uncommon flatfish off Oregon, usually found in very shallow water at a depth less than 60 feet. Sand Sole: *Body is flattened and the eyed side is brown to light green. It has a large mouth. The skin on the eyed side feels rough like sandpaper. *This is a common flatfish in shallow water (often at depths less than 150 feet) near sandy beaches. *It is excellent eating quality and is sometimes taken by sport fishers casting into the surf and commercial trawlers fishing near shore. Big Skate: *The body is flattened with pectoral fin attached to side of head and continuous with the body. Very large and common skate that can reach lengths of over 6 feet and 200 pounds. Recognized by large round circle at the base of each large pectoral fin. Usually found at depths of 10 to 360 feet. *Eggs are expelled in horny egg case that may be up to a foot in length and contain up to seven eggs. Large embryos in egg cases look like small skates. Egg cases are sometimes found washed up on beaches. *The flesh from the large pectoral fins is excellent for eating and has a modest commercial value. Copper Rockfish: *It's variable coloration is brown to copper with blotches of white on sides and along rear 2/3 of lateral line, and white in spiny dorsal fin. *It is abundant in shallow water and bays among rocks or in kelp beds. Usually non-schooling. *All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. Yellowtail Rockfish: *It is Olive green color with yellowish fins. Maximum age of 64 years. *All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. *Important in commercial trawl fishery. Dense schools over offshore rocky reefs, and commonly caught in 400 to 700 feet. *OSU research conducted in late 1980's & early 1990's to determine migration, and movement. ODFW routinely samples commercial landings. Quillback Rockfish: *Its brown colored body is mottled with yellow and orange and has a bright yellow area running through spiny dorsal and down into upper half of side. Large spines of dorsal fin are deeply notched. *This is a non-schooling rockfish usually found "resting" on rocky bottom at moderate depths (100 to about 475 feet). *All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. Black Rockfish: *It is dark gray to black colored with small black spots in dorsal fins and on sides. Maximum age of at least 28 years. *It is the most abundant species in Oregon's charter boat fishery. *This near shore species is found schooling near rocky areas (common at surface to 100 feet). *ODFW has conducted extensive tagging in the Tillamook and Newport areas to determine movement and coast wide sampling to determine stock condition. *All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. Vermilion Rockfish: *It is a bright, vermilion red colored rockfish with 3-obscure orange stripes radiating from each eye. Maximum age is over 18 years. *This species is found primarily off southern Oregon over rocky reefs at moderate depths (200 -500 feet). *All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. China Rockfish: * The body is black and mottled with yellow. It has a broad yellow stripe from spiny dorsal fin down and along lateral line (middle of side). *It is a solitary rockfish found on shallow rocky shores or reefs usually at depths of about 60 to 400 feet). *It is an important commercial species in live fish fishery. *All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. Bocaccio: *It is a large (to 36 inches and 15 pounds) olive brown to olive orange rockfish with vary large mouth. Maximum age of 36 years. *Found in schools at moderate depths (500 - 1,000 feet). *It is an important commercial species in California. *All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. Redstripe Rockfish: *It is a slender light red rockfish with olive on back and a red stripe along lateral line (middle of side). Maximum age of 41 years. *It is found schooling over deep (600-1,000 feet) rocky bottom. *All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. Grass Rockfish: *It is blackish-green in color with pale mottling. Maximum age is over 12 years. *It is found primarily off southern Oregon over shallow rocky reefs and especially common in kelp beds (usually found in water less than 30 feet deep). *All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. Yelloweye Rockfish: *This large rockfish (length to 36 inches) is orange-yellow washed with pink, and juveniles is darker with two horizontal light stripes along the sides. Maximum age of 83 years. *It is found over rocky reefs at moderate depths (150 - 1,200 feet). *One of the best eating rockfish and because of large size, it is prized in the ocean sport fishery. *All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. The English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus, formerly Parophrys vetulus), is a flatfish that's also sometimes called the lemon sole. The English sole is prized for its flavor, and it lives in coastal waters from the Bering Sea to Baja California, at depths ranging from very shallow waters to 550*meters. Like all flatfish, it begins its life swimming with its bodied oriented vertically like other fish. However, when the sole larva metamorphoses to the juvenile stage, the fish's left eye migrates across the top of its head to the right side, and the fish begins living on sandy or muddy bottoms with its right side, and both eyes, oriented towards the water surface, while its left side rests on the sediment. The sole then feeds on small animals it finds in the sediment. The English sole commonly buries itself in the sediments, with only its eyes showing, and it's then very hard to see. The English sole is usually only a seasonal resident of west coast estuaries. In the spring the larvae migrate into the estuaries, metamorphose, and the juveniles use the estuary as a nursery habitat over the summer. Most leave the estuary and move into coastal waters in the fall, but a few may overwinter and leave the next year. Because of its close association with bottom sediments, the English sole has been extensively used in studies of the effects of pollutants that are found in the sediments, such as PCB's and pesticides. Scientists at the EPA are studying the growth rates of juvenile English sole collected at different locations in the Yaquina estuary to learn if changes in sediment composition, such as those resulting from logging, dredging, or urbanization, are affecting the English sole growth rates. Hi Bill, Walt Nelson asked me to give you the skinny on ghost shrimp for your display. First, you should consider using the currently vogue scientific name: Neotrypaea californiensis. I liked Callianassa better, but alas, the taxonomists feel otherwise. Because they are ecologically similar and because I am studying both spp., I have included mud shrimp (Upogebia pugettensis) in the text below; if you prefer, I could write separate pieces for each species. I can also prepare a map showing the distribution of these species (and eelgrass) in Yaquina Bay if that would be of interest. Here goes: Ghost Shrimp (Neotrypaea californiensis) and Mud Shrimp (Upogebia pugettensis) live in deep burrows on intertidal and shallow subtidal mudflats of Pacific coast estuaries, ranging from Alaska to Baja California. These shrimp can be very abundant (more than 200 per square meter) and occupy about 50% of intertidal, soft sediment habitats. Both shrimps construct complex, branching burrows that can extend deeper than 1 meter below the sediment surface. Ghost Shrimp tend to live in sandier sediments in the upper intertidal zone, feed on sediment organic matter (i.e., they are deposit feeders), and continuously burrow through the sediment while foraging. Mud Shrimp, by contrast, tend to live in muddier sediments in the low intertidal and subtidal sediments, feed on suspended organic matter (i.e., they are filter feeders), and are less active burrowers. These shrimp are considered to be ecological *keystone species* of estuaries, because their high abundance and active burrowing (and the disturbance this causes) determines the diversity and abundance of other species that live on the tideflats. Through their digging behavior and the irrigation of their burrows, Ghost and Mud Shrimp also influence the turbidity and concentration of nutrients in the estuary water column. Scientists at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency laboratory at HMSC are studying how water quality and human activities affect the abundance of these shrimp, and in turn, how changes in the abundance of these shrimp affects the biodiversity of tideflat organisms and the water quality of Pacific coast estuaries. Anemone / Algae Symbiosis Laboratory of Virginia Weis, Dept. of Zoology, OSU What are these animals? What you are seeing here is not just an intertidal anemone (scientific name Anthopleura elegantissima) but a mutually beneficial symbiosis between the anemone and microscopic algae living inside of the animal. The algae give the animal food they get from performing photosynthesis. In exchange the anemone provides the algae a safe place to live and lots nutrients, similar to fertilizer. The anemone can play host to either a brown alga or a green alga and it is these algal partners that give the anemones their brown or green hues. What do we do with the anemones? We are studying the inner workings of this mutualistic partnership in our laboratory on the OSU campus in Corvallis, in the Department of Zoology. We grow the animals here as “broodstock”, meaning that we collect eggs and sperm that they release and raise and study the juveniles. What questions are we asking in our studies? Even though this anemone is a very common inhabitant of the intertidal environment on the West Coast, we know very little about how this symbiosis works. We are asking questions such as: How do juvenile anemones find and take up new algae? How do anemones recognize a symbiotic alga? What makes juvenile anemones choose green or brown algae? Does it depend on what kind of environment they are in? How do the anemones and algae communicate with one another? What signals pass back and forth between them to help them regulate their partnership? Why are these studies important? There are two things that make the study of this symbiosis important. The first is that basic knowledge of how organisms function helps us appreciate them more and enables us to protect them and help them thrive. The second is that this symbiosis is closely related to corals reef symbioses. Corals are animals much like anemones and they contain microscopic algae in their tissues too. Coral reefs are threatened with destruction worldwide. Since studying corals is often difficult, as they occur in remote places with no laboratory facilities, we can study anemones instead. We can then apply what we know about anemones to corals, thereby improving our knowledge of these highly threatened organisms, and helping to preserve them. Hemocyanins are very large copper-containing respiratory proteins found in the blood of arthropods and molluscs. Blue in color, they serve the same function in oxygen transport as hemoglobin does in the blood of vertebrates. Octopus hemocyanin has been the subject of research by Dr. K.E. van Holde and Dr. Karen Miller at Oregon State University for the last 15 years. It is an enormous molecule with a molecular weight of over 3 million. It is composed of ten subunits, each of which contains 7 oxygen binding sites, arranged like a string of beads. These subunits assemble and fold to become a hollow cylindrical structure which circulates directly in the blood, not contained in blood cells. The enormous size of molluscan hemocyanins, (some gastropod molecules are 9 million molecular weight or more), and the fact that they are studded with unusual carbohydrates, make them potent stimulators of the human immune system. Keyhhole limpet hemocyanin is presently undergoing clinical trials as a very effective therapy for bladder cancer. Having determined the function and structure of the protein, Drs van Holde and Miller are presently looking at the structure of the gene for this protein and attempting to produce modified versions of the protein in order to understand the precise role of different parts of the molecule in determining its function. Pacific staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus ) Recognized by the antler-like spine on the gill cover and the dark posterior spot on the rear portion of the first dorsal fin. Often found in bays and inlets over mud and silt bottoms. Gunnels (general) ñ Family Pholidae. Gunnels are small elongate fishes resembling eels. The dorsal and anal fins are long and continuous with the tail fin. Mouth and teeth are small, and they are most often found in shallow waters (including the intertidal) among rocks and seaweeds. Six species are known from the Oregon coast. Penpoint gunnel (Apodicthys flavidus ) Name comes from the long pen-nib shaped spine at the front of the anal fin. Saddleback gunnel (Pholis ornata ) Name comes from the series of U or V shaped markings along its upper sides. Petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani ) The relatively large size (to 27") and firm flesh of this fish make is a valuable target of commercial fisheries. It is relatively large-mouthed and eats other fishes and larger invertebrates. Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi ) This silvery schooling fish is very important to Native American and commercial fisheries. It is available to fisheries when it spawns in in-shore waters and its eggs form thick mats on algae and rocks. Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus ) A left-eye flounder (both eyes on the left side of the head) usually found on soft bottoms at depths of over 50 feet. Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus ) A right-eyed flounder easily recognized by the prominent dark bands on the dorsal, anal and tail fins. Name comes form the star-shaped plates on the body (which create a rough texture also lending the name "grindstone"). northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax ) A small, silvery schooling fish that is sporadically abundant off Oregon. Usually under 7" long and a relative of the Peruvian anchovy that is the basis for one of the world's largest fisheries. Very large mouth and an overhanging upper jaw; small prey are taken by filter feeding. It is the occasional target of commercial fishing for bait, meal and oil. Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax ) A silvery schooling fish recognized by the spindle-like body, fine lines on the gill covers and black spots on the sides. Also known as a pilchard, this herring relative was the focus of the large California fishery referenced in Hemmingway's Cannery Row. Maximum length usually under 12". jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis ) ñ A silvery fish, greenish-blue on top, with a mid-line stripe. Common in inshore areas and bays; central Oregon is near the northern limit of its range. Size to 17 inches. leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata ) ñ A relatively small (maximum length 6.5 feet) coastal shark; Oregon near the northern limit of its range; not considered dangerous. Black crossbars and spots on a dark grey body contribute to its common name. Like most sharks and rays, this species bears live young. MICROSCOPIC TANK 1 Big skate (Raja binoculata) *The body is flattened with pectoral fin attached to side of head and continuous with the body. Very large and common skate that can reach lengths of over 6 feet and 200 pounds. Recognized by large round circle at the base of each large pectoral fin. Usually found at depths of 10 to 360 feet. *Eggs are expelled in horny egg case that may be up to a foot in length and contain up to seven eggs. Large embryos in egg cases look like small skates. Egg cases are sometimes found washed up on beaches. *The flesh from the large pectoral fins is excellent for eating and has a modest commercial value. Sand sole (Psettichthys melanostictus) *Body is flattened and the eyed side is brown to light green. It has a large mouth. The skin on the eyed side feels rough like sandpaper. *This is a common flatfish in shallow water (often at depths less than 150 feet) near sandy beaches. *It is excellent eating quality and is sometimes taken by sport fishers casting into the surf and commercial trawlers fishing near shore. White surfperch (Phanerodon furcatus) *It is predominately silver in color with dusky speckling on back and a thin black line at base of soft dorsal fin. It has a deeply forked tail. Length to 12.4 inches. Maximum age is about 7 years. *It is found along sandy bottoms of shallow bays and around pilings. Bent-nose macoma clam (Macoma nasulta) Pacific staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus) Penpoint gunnel (Apodicthys flavidus) Saddleback gunnel (Pholis ornata) Sand shrimp (Callianassa californiensis) Dock shrimp (Pnadalus danae) Global Tank Existing Species petrale Sole (Eopsetta jordani) jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis) Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) A schooling fish that moves into the bay to spawn, the pacific herring is caught for it’s delicious roe or as a baitfish. While historically runs occurred in many bays, the primary run today is in Yaquina Bay. Twenty percent of the run, or about 70 metric tons of 3-4 year fish are landed. white surfperch (Phanerodon furcatus) *It is predominately silver in color with dusky speckling on back and a thin black line at base of soft dorsal fin. It has a deeply forked tail. Length to 12.4 inches. Maximum age is about 7 years. *It is found along sandy bottoms of shallow bays and around pilings. Pacific Sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus) Researchers are studying metamorphosis (changes in form) and early mortality English Sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) *Body is flattened and has a uniform brown color on eyed side with a small mouth and pointed head. Maximum age of 22 years. *Young spend first year in very shallow waters including bays. *This is a common flatfish in commercial trawl catches from near shore waters (usually 100 to 500 feet). *ODFW has conducted extensive tagging off Newport to study fish movement, and commercial landings are sampled. Likely Species Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) Sand sole (Psettichthys melanostictus) *Body is flattened and the eyed side is brown to light green. It has a large mouth. The skin on the eyed side feels rough like sandpaper. *This is a common flatfish in shallow water (often at depths less than 150 feet) near sandy beaches. *It is excellent eating quality and is sometimes taken by sport fishers casting into the surf and commercial trawlers fishing near shore. Micro Rack Existing Species pile perch (Rhacochilus vacca) red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) blue rockfish (Sebaster mystinus) dulse (Palmaria mollis) colonal plumose anemone (Metridium senile) orange cup coral (Balanophyllia elegans) strawberry corallimorpharian (Corynactis californica) European green crab (Carcinus maenas) This inadvertently introduced species may adversely affect native populations of clams, mussels, oysters or other crabs. redtail surfperch (Amphistichus rhodoterus) *Color is silver with olive-green or brassy mottling. It has about 10 vertical dark bars on side and a red tail. Length to 16 inches. Maximum age of about 14 years. *It is a livebear, producing large live young rather than laying eggs. *A common sport fish which is caught along open sandy beaches. *Extensive ODFW tagging and sport catch sampling is conducted to determine migration & possibly stock size. red rock crab (Cancer productus) OSU zoologists who are looking at escape responses of prey from predators study the red rock crab. copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) *It's variable coloration is brown to copper with blotches of white on sides and along rear 2/3 of lateral line, and white in spiny dorsal fin. *It is abundant in shallow water and bays among rocks or in kelp beds. Usually non-schooling. *All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. brown Irish lord (Hemilepidotus spinosus) *Moderate sized sculpin reaching 10 inches. Large head. It is brown in color, and is barred with 4 dark saddles over top half. Likely Species Assortment of macroalgae CaliforniaSea Hare (Aplysia californica) Because nudibranchs have large neural axons (nerve impulse conductors), scientists can insert electrodes to record nerve activity in free moving individuals. black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) *It is dark gray to black colored with small black spots in dorsal fins and on sides. Maximum age of at least 28 years. *It is the most abundant species in Oregon's charter boat fishery. *This near shore species is found schooling near rocky areas (common at surface to 100 feet). *ODFW has conducted extensive tagging in the Tillamook and Newport areas to determine movement and coast wide sampling to determine stock condition. *All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata) *A small surfperch species (length to 7 inches) that has sides with silvery horizontal bars separated by dark bars, and there are also three vertical yellow bars on the side. Spawning males are very dark. *It is easily caught by children fishing in bays. *Females release large, fully developed young. List of species grouped by exhibit. Scientific names were verified by the AFS Common and Scientific Names of Fishes, 5th edition. I have grouped the species for each tank into two categories: existing and likely. I thought Craig might find it useful to go ahead and make ID display cards for species that have a high likelihood of being on exhibit while he is in the process of making the ones for existing species Global Tank Existing Species Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis) white surfperch (Phanerodon furcatus) petrale Sole (Eopsetta jordani) Pacific Sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus) English Sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) Likely Species northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) Sand sole (Psettichthys melanostictus) Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) Bird's Eye Existing Species china Rockfish (Sebastes nebulosus) copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) quillback rockfish (Sebaster maliger) blue rockfish (Sebastes mystinus) sunflower star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) ocher star (Pisaster ochraceus) bat star (Patiria miniata) rainbow star (Orthasterias koehleri) leather star (Dermasterias imbricata) clonal plumose anemone (Metridium senile) giant green anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) strawberry anemone (Corynactis californica) crusty red anemone (Urticina columbiana) clonal anemone (Anthropleura elegantissima) mottled anemone (Urticina crassicornis) red sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) Bird's Eye Tank (continued) Likely Species No additions anticipated Micro Rack Existing Species pile perch (Rhacochilus vacca) redtail surfperch (Amphistichus rhodoterus) red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) European green crab (Carcinus maenas) red rock crab (Cancer productus) copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) blue rockfish (Sebaster mystinus) dulse (Palmaria mollis) colonal plumose anemone (Metridium senile) orange cup coral (Balanophyllia elegans) strawberry corallimorpharian (Corynactis californica) brown Irish lord (Hemilepidotus spinosus) Likely Species Assortment of macroalgae (Bill should provide taxonomic information) CaliforniaSea Hare (Aplysia californica) black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata) Micro A Existing Species ghost shrimp (Callianassa californiensis) penpoint gunnel (Apodichthys flavidus) English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) white surfperch (Phanerodon furcatus) coonstriped shrimp (Pandalus hypsinotus) Pacific staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus) big skate (Raja binoculata) Likely species Bay pipefish (Syngnathus leptorhynchus) Saddleback gunnel (Pholis ornata) Crescent gunnel (Pholis laeta) Tube snout (Aulorrhbchus flavidus) Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Micro B Existing Species This tank is next in line for a complete overhaul. Existing species will only be relevant for a short time. Micro B will become the "jetty tank". Carefully review the likely species list, and get back to me ASAP if you don't see an animal listed that you think should belong on the list. I am in the process of collecting animal this month, so I will need to know for my next collection trip. If there is a need to ID the animals currently in there, here a few: coonstriped shrimp shiner perch plumose anemone giant green anemones (Pandalus hypsinotus) (cymatogaster aggregata) (Metridium senile) (Telia crassicornis) Micro B (continued) Likely species wolf-eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus) buffalo Sculpin (Enophrys bison) brown Irish Lord (Hemilepidotus spinosus) red Irish Lord (Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus) cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) whitespotted greenling (Hexagrammos stelleri) lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) giant green anemones (Telia crassicornis) Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) aggregate anemones (Anthopleura elegantissima) red rock crab (Cancer productus) redtail surfperch (Amphistichus rhodoterus) • Maximum age of about 14 years. • Produces large live young rather than laying eggs. • Common sport fish caught along open sandy beaches. • ODFW conducts extensive tagging and sport catch sampling to determine population size and critical habitat. white surfperch (Phanerodon furcatus) • Maximum age is about 7 years. • Found along sandy bottoms of shallow bays and around pilings. • Mature females give birth to live young during the spring • Most frequently caught during the spring and summer months in estuaries. English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) • Maximum age of 22 years. Young spend first year in very shallow waters including bays • EPA is studying juvenile English sole in the Yaquina estuary to learn how sediment deposition from logging, dredging, or urbanization affects their growth rates. • ODFW has conducted extensive tagging off Newport to study fish movement, and commercial landings are sampled for stock assessment. sand sole (Psettichthys melanostictus) • Skin on the eyed side feels rough like sandpaper • Common flatfish in shallow water (often at depths less than 150 feet) near sandy beaches • Generally found lying over clean sand near the mouths of bays • Excellent eating quality and is sometimes taken by sport fishers casting into the surf and commercial trawlers fishing near shore big skate (Raja binoculata) • Very large and common skate that can reach lengths of over 6 feet and 200 pounds. Usually found at depths of 10 to 360 feet. • Eggs are expelled in horny egg case that may be up to a foot in length and contain up to seven eggs. • Large embryos in egg cases look like small skates. Egg cases are sometimes found washed up on beaches. • Flesh from the large pectoral fins is excellent for eating and has a modest commercial value. Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi ) • Silvery schooling fish that was very important to Native American and commercial fisheries, caught for it’s delicious roe or as a bait fish • Historically, runs occurred in many bays, but the primary run in Oregon today is in Yaquina Bay. • Available to fisheries when it spawns in in-shore waters and its eggs form thick mats on algae and rocks. • Twenty percent of the run, or about 70 metric tons of 3-4 year fish are landed annually. Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus ) •A left-eye flounder (both eyes on the left side of the head) usually found on soft bottoms at depths of over 50 feet. • Extensive range from the Bering Sea to south Baja • A popular food fish, especially in California • Researchers are studying metamorphosis (changes in form) and early mortality jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis) • Yaquina Bay is the northern end of its range, that extends south to Baja California. • Caught both commercially or on hook and line by sport fishers • Important prey species in the near shore food chain petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani) •A right-eye flounder (both eyes on the right side of the head) usually found on sand bottoms at depths between 60 and 1500 feet. • Important food fish, sold fresh or as frozen fillets. Common in markets • Forages heavily upon small fishes such as herring and anchovies • Due to historic heavy fishing, the valuable harvest of this fish has been declining, prompting research in both the United States and Canada China rockfish (Sebastes nebulosus) • From the Greek sebastos, meaning “magnificent;” and the Latin nebulosus, “clouded.” • Solitary rockfish found on shallow rocky shores or reefs usually at depths of about 60 to 400 feet. • Important commercial species in live fish fishery. • All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) • Abundant in shallow water and in kelp beds bays among rocks. • Occasionally found resting on the bottom propped up by its fins • Adult females give live birth during April and May • Usually non-schooling as adults, but schools of tiny juveniles can be found among the eelgrass and kelp during the summer quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger) • Large spines of dorsal fin are deeply notched. • A non-schooling rockfish usually found "resting" on rocky bottom at moderate depths (100 to about 475 feet). • Female quillback rockfish usually grows larger than the male. • Juveniles are finely spotted, and frequently hide among the floating debris in summer tidelines. blue rockfish (Sebastes mystinus) • Young fish eat zooplankton (jellyfish, krill and copepods), preferring small fish as they mature. • Juveniles can be recognize by their light blue body, spotted with brick red. • An active, schooling gamefish that usually swims well off the bottom. • Reaches 21 inches in length and can live for 24 years. giant green anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) • A mutually beneficial symbiosis between the anemone and microscopic algae living inside of the animal gives the anemone a green appearance. • The algae provides the animal oxygen and food as byproducts of photosynthesis. In exchange, the anemone provides the algae a safe place to live and lots nutrients, similar to fertilizer. • OSU researchers are attempting to discover how juvenile anemones find and take up new algae, and how anemones recognize a symbiotic alga. red sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) • Large adults may live as long as twenty years. • If unchecked by predators, this prodigious consumer of algae can alter the nearshore ecosystem by decimating the kelp forest • From a peak of 9.3 million pounds harvested in 1990, the market for red sea urchin roe has dropped to 345,000 pounds in 1998. • HMSC and ODFW are investigating the potential of sustainable fisheries for urchins and are exploring the potential of refuges on population health. ocher star • (Pisaster ochraceus) sunflower star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) bat star (Patiria miniata) rainbow star (Orthasterias koehleri) leather star (Dermasterias imbricata) clonal plumose anemone (Metridium senile) strawberry anemone (Corynactis californica) crusty red anemone (Urticina columbiana) clonal anemone (Anthropleura elegantissima) mottled anemone (Urticina crassicornis) EYE LEVEL CORE: bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis) • Maximum age of 36 years. • Found in schools at moderate depths (500 - 1,000 feet). • Important commercial species in California. • All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. kelp greenling or sea trout (Hexagrammos decagrammus) • Female is gray-brown with bright golden to light brown small spots on body and head. Male is dark gray with large bright blue spots on head and sides. Length to 21 inches • Common in sport catches off rocky coastline and jetties. • Males guard egg masses found on rocky areas. • Valuable fish in commercial live fish fishery. copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) • Abundant in shallow water and in kelp beds bays among rocks. • Occasionally found resting on the bottom propped up by its fins • Adult females give live birth during April and May • Usually non-schooling as adults, but schools of tiny juveniles can be found among the eelgrass and kelp during the summer quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger) • Large spines of dorsal fin are deeply notched. • A non-schooling rockfish usually found "resting" on rocky bottom at moderate depths (100 to about 475 feet). • Female quillback rockfish usually grows larger than the male. • Juveniles are finely spotted, and frequently hide among the floating debris in summer tide lines. <> > The five species of crab in the octopus tank are: > > Cancer magister, the dungeness crab. Our most commercially important crab. > > Cancer gracilis, the graceful crab. With slender purple legs and white > tipped claws, this crab is usually mistaken for a small dungeness. It > doesn’t get much larger than 60 mm. > > Cancer productus, the red crab/red rock crab. Our most common bay crab. > Tasty, but with less meat than a dungeness.. > > Cancer antennarius, the rock crab/Pacific red rock crab. Often mistaken for > the more common red rock crab because of the black-tipped pinchers, this > crab is a muddy brown color, and has massive rounded claws. The diagnostic > feature of the species is the presence of small purple spots on the > underside of the animal. The Pacific Rock Crab is usually found in the > ocean, but it moves into bays when salinity is high from low river > levels-usually summer and fall. > > Carcinus maenas, the European Green Crab. An introduced species, > potentially harmful to native crabs and shellfish. Preliminary research > suggests that native rock crabs dominate this species, and may keep it’s numbers in check. To your left, in the "arid" climate is a Northern Alligator Lizard, Elgaria coerulea. This is the only lizard found in northern Oregon coastal forests. It is a live bearer, as the eggs are held in the females oviduct for about three months. Alligator lizards eat insects and small invertebrates, large specimens may take small birds, mammals, and other lizards. Populations may be at risk in areas where Cinnabar moths are found. Cinnabar moths were introduced to control the plant Tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea), which is toxic to cattle and horses. The moths concentrate Tansey toxins when they consume the plant, rendering the moths toxic to native lizards (and, potentially, other native species). On the right, with the "pond", is a (kinda small) Pacific Giant salamander, Dicamptodon tenebrosus. Larval giant pacific salamanders have gills and need the cold, clear water of streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds. This makes them particularly vulnerable to the effects of siltation and the removal of vegetation from water bodies. Adults, which can easily reach twelve inches in size, require downed logs for shelter in the conifer and deciduous forests where they forage for food. Fish in the Sebastes genus, locally called rockfish, are of special interest to researchers due to their importance in the commercial fishing industry. In recent years, rockfish have contributed more to Newport’s economy than salmon have. *Sebastes live between 30 and 140 years. They are live bearers, and mature at a later age than most fish. Spawning times and the amount of larvae released vary greatly with age, and age class sizes must be considered in the management of individual species. *The most reliable method of aging rockfish (and many other marine fish species) is to study their ear bones. These bones, called otoliths, grow like rings on a tree. By taking representative samples of fish caught and studying their otoliths, fisheries managers can ensure management strategies that protect the continued health of fish populations. Moon Snail Polinices lewisii Moon snails are commonly found partially buried in mud/fine sand, through which they move by beating thousands of tiny hair-like cilia on their foot. They can also move somewhat faster when necessary by muscular contractions of the foot. You can see ours plowing itís way through the fine gravel in the Global tank. They employ various feeding methods, but often grab small clams with their foot and drill a tiny hole through the shell with their radula (stiff, sandpaper-like tongue) and the help of chemical secretions by their proboscis. Alternatively, the snails may merely hold their prey inside their foot until dead, then insert their proboscis between the shells of the dead animal to feed. Moon snails are also scavengers, eating anything (animal, not vegetable) that comes their way. Sunflower stars, Pisaster helianthoides, are apparently their only natural enemies. Moon snail egg cases look like beige rubber rings and can be found in intertidal areas. The eggs are extruded from the mantle cavity in a continuous gelatinous sheet, which is covered with a sand/mucus mixture as it emerges. Egg cases crumble in late summer, releasing a half-million or so free-swimming larvae. (Info from Ricketts et al., 1985, Between Pacific Tides [5th Edition]) Brown Box Crab Lopholithodes foraminatus Scientific name from Greek lophos (crest) + lithodes (stone); and Latin foraminatus (provided with a hole or perforation) The Brown Box Crab can be found from Kodiak, AK, to San Diego, CA. Their preferred habitat is mud bottom or on vertical rock faces above the mud, from low intertidal to 600 meters deep. Brown Box Crabs feed on bivalves and organic debris and often bury in the mud. While buried, two circular holes, or foramens, in the claws permit water circulation to the gills. Mature male crabs weigh about 1.3 pounds, with the largest individuals weighing about 2.5 pounds and measuring seven inches across the back. Females are smaller than the males. Their major predator is probably octopus. Brown Box Crabs may migrate from deep to shallow waters and vice versa during certain seasons. This, along with their abundance and other population parameters, is unknown. Box crab must be harvested by pots or rings which meet the same specifications as Dungeness crab gear. Permits may be obtained to use trawl gear for box crab harvest outside of Oregon waters. While the Dungeness crab season is closed, Box crab harvest is restricted to waters deeper than 40 fathoms. There are no size or sex restrictions on the fishery, but crabs must not be mutilated before landing so that species cannot be determined. Box crabs were first harvested in Oregon in 1982, and reached a peak harvest of 272,000 pounds in 1984. Landings decreased after 1985 due to a lack of market interest. Most of the harvest was taken by crab pots, although trawl gear was also common. One researcher suggested trawling may be more efficient for commercial harvest because of long soak times needed with pots. Meat yield from the crabs is approximately 25%. (Info from the report Oregon Developmental Species Box Crab, Lopholithodes foraminatus by Jean McCrae, ODF&W, 1994 and the AK Fisheries Science Center, Kodiak Laboratory website (http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/kodiak/photo/boxa.htm) 2 Shortspine Thornyheads, Sebastolobus alascanus. These reddish, spiny-headed fish in the rockfish family can be found in deep waters (usually below 400 feet, have been found from 80 - 5000 ft.) on soft sandy or silty bottoms. Their range is from the Bering Sea to Baja California, although spawning seems to occur only north of Pt. Conception. Also called the Idiotfish, Bonehead or Hardhead, Hooligan, or Channel Rockcod. Shortspine Thornyheads are long-lived and slow-growing; the maximum recorded size is just under 30 inches in length. They are caught incidentally in groundfish or shrimp trawls, traps, and on sablefish longlines. In 1993, about 9000 metric tons worth $10 million were taken along the Pacific coast. Most are exported to Japan where thornyheads fetch premium prices (Love, 1996). new in Micro-B (rocky reef tank): Honeycomb Rockfish, Sebastes umbrosus ("magnificent" and "shady"). A smaller rockfish living on rocky reefs in medium-shallow waters from central CA to southern Baja. Life span is at least 15 years. Honeycomb rockfish are important in the southern CA recreational fishery. (Love, 1996) Starry Rockfish, Sebastes constellatus. Found from northern CA to southern Baja over hard bottoms, usually around structure like rocky reefs or wrecks. Adults are most abundant from 180-450 feet, juveniles from 90-250 ft. Usually soliary, occasionally found in small aggregations. Life span is at least 28 years, max. length is 18". Diet is small fish, crabs, shrimp, and other invertebrates. Shiner Surfperch, Cymatogaster aggregata, are back. "Cymatogaster" is formed from 2 Greek works meaning "fetus belly", a reference to the fact that these fish bear live young. "Aggregata" refers to their schooling behaviour. They have a wide geographic and habitat-type distribution, from Alaska to Baja in eelgrass and kelp beds, piers, jetties, and occasionally the tidal zone of coastal rivers. Some will even enter the freshwater zones of streams. Commonly found shallower than 50 feet, but have been taken down to 690 ft. They can live in waters ranging from 39 to 70 degrees F. Life span is 8 yrs. Max. size is 7 inches. Females grow faster and larger than males. Ours are probably about 3-4 years old, judging by their size. Mating takes place in mid-summer, but females store the sperm until winter before allowing fertilization to take place. Up to 36 embryos may develop. Diet is plankton: copepods, arrow worms (chaetognaths), amphipods, fish eggs. Almost everything eats shiner perch (larger fish, seals/sea lions, birds. Interesting factoid: fossil Shiner Perch earbones (otoliths) have been found in Pliocene (over one million years old) deposits in Long Beach, CA. Cabezon, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus (referring to this species' resemblance to the scorpionfishes, genus Scorpaena; marmoratus is Latin for marbled). Sedentary fishes living on the same patch of hard bottom for most or all of their lives, which may be more than 13 years. They can reach 30 inches. Ours is probably a year to a year and a half old. Eggs are laid in nests on exposed rock surfaces and are guarded by the males until they hatch. Adults eat crabs, smaller fish, abalone, chitons, and ?octopi?. Evidently they can knock abalone off rocks, eat them whole, and spit out the shell at their leisure (Love, 1996, p. 223). Predators include sea otters, pigeon guillemots, least terns, and cormorants. They are an important sport fish. Their flesh is blue when raw due to copper-based compounds in the shellfish they consume, but edible; however, eggs are poisonous to humans, other mammals, and birds (probably explains why they can lay eggs in intertidal or shallow water without too much predation). Cabezon remains are common in Native American middens. references: Love, Milton. 1996. Probably More Than You Wanted to Know About the Fishes of the Pacific Coast. Really Big Press, Santa Barbara, CA. Lamb, Andy, and Phil Edgell. 1986. Coastal Fishes of the Pacific Northwest. Harbour Publishing Co., Madeira Park, BC, Canada. Eschmeyer, William N., and Earl S. Herald. 1983. The Peterson Field Guide Series: A Field Guide to Pacific Coast Fishes North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. Six tank rack: Shortspine Thornyheads, Sebastolobus alascanus. • Usually found below 400 feet, have been found from 80 - 5000 ft.) on soft sandy or silt bottoms • Caught incidentally in groundfish or shrimp trawls, traps, and on sablefish longlines. In 1993, about 9000 metric tons worth $10 million were taken along the Pacific coast. Most are exported to Japan where thornyheads fetch premium prices Micro-B (rocky reef tank): Honeycomb Rockfish, Sebastes umbrosus • Found on rocky reefs in medium-shallow waters from central CA to southern Baja. • Life span is at least 15 years. Starry Rockfish, Sebastes constellatus • Found from northern CA to southern Baja over hard bottoms, usually around structure like rocky reefs or wrecks. • Adults are most abundant from 180-450 feet, juveniles from 90-250 ft. Usually solitary occasionally found in small aggregations. • Life span is at least 28 years; maximum length is 18 inches Shiner Surfperch, Cymatogaster aggregata • Commonly found shallower than 50 feet, but has been taken down to 690 ft. • Life span is 8 years. Females grow faster and larger than males • Fossil shiner surfperch earbones (otoliths) have been found in Pliocene (over one million years old) deposits in Long Beach, CA. Cabezon, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus • Sedentary fishes living on the same patch of hard bottom for most or all of their lives, which may be more than 13 years • Eggs are laid in nests on exposed rock surfaces and are guarded by the males until they hatch • Their edible flesh is blue when raw due to copper-based compounds in the shellfish that they consume Coon-striped shrimp have been added to the Micro-rack C tank (the one with the "Coon-Striped Shrimp" sign, the eelgrass tank, and the Feature Research/Ochre Sea Stars tank (next to the oysters.) Also called "Dock Shrimp" (because they are often found around floating docks and pilings, according to Kozloff in Seashore Life of the Northern Pacific). They can reach lengths up to 15 cm, and are edible. They are very helpful "janitors" in our tanks, picking up small pieces of food which would otherwise fall to the bottom. Two rock crabs have been added to Touch Tank 2 (replacing one deceased crab). The bright red one is Cancer productus, commonly found in sandy or muddy bays as well as rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal areas. While they can be tasty, these crabs are not commercially harvested because they have much less meat relative to shell weight than Dungeness crabs. The duller-colored crab with larger claws *I believe* is a Cancer antennarius, found more commonly on rocky shores than in bays, although our specimen came up in a trap off our pumphouse dock. I have seen a number of crabs like this with very fat claws, which do not look quite like the pictures associated with the rock crab Cancer antennarius in all the ID books...it could be that the males have larger claws? or it could be that I'm wrong..if anyone knows that this crab is a different species, please let me know! The clue that suggests that it is a C. antennarius is the spots on it's underside. They are also edible, although I didn't like the last one I had.. Eight Ocean Whitefish, Caulolatilus pinceps have been added to the Birds Eye Tank. These animals have been seen from Vancouver Island, BC south to Peru. They are most common from Pt. Conception southward. They tend to be found from the subtidal to at least 450 feet. They are generally in groups, over rocks and/or kelp from the bottom up to about 15 feet above it. See Milton Love's book, Probably More Than You Want to Know About the Fish of the Pacific Coast for a nice description with some humor. There is a new juvenile sand sole in the Global tank. It is about 6 inches long and is usually very well camoflaged against the gravel. A darkblotched rockfish that was removed from Eye-Level to the quarantine area some time ago for a bacterial infection is back after successful treatment and a little R&R. There are now 2 of this species in this tank. There is a new large kelp crab in Touch Tank 3 (although this may not be his final destination, it's where he is now.) And last but far from least, we have a new octopus. Donated by Seagull Charters' Captain Mike of the Miss Raven and two guests from Washington who pulled up the octopus on a hook and line last week, the octopus is a handsome male slightly larger than half Stretch's size. He is currently in the quarantine room in the West Wing; please do not disturb him OR THE SEAL ON HIS TANK!!! [ask me or Sylvia if you just HAVE to see him :)] Many thanks to Seagull Charters and Captain Mike for thinking of us. At least I will think of them in return: they sounded very professional and their guests all seemed very pleased with their trip; if anyone is looking for a fishing trip for themselves or visitors Seagull Charters sounds like a good one. They are on the Bayfront next to Marine Discovery Tours. 12/6/00 - Micro B tank Most obvious fish: Starry Rockfish, Sebastes constellatus Honeycomb Rockfish, S. umbrosus Shiner Surfperch, Cymatogaster aggregata Other fish: Walleye surfperch, Hyperprosopon argenteum Cabezon, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus Invertebrates: Plumose Anemone (white and orange varieties), Metridium senile Christmas Anemone, also called Mottled Anemone, Utricina crassicornis Orange Cup Coral, Balanophyllia elegans Strawberry Corallimorphians, Corynactis californica Giant Green Anemone, Anthopleura xanthogrammica Pink-tipped Anemone, Anthopleura elegantissima Rock Scallop, Hinnites giganteus California Mussel, Mytilus edulis Coon-stripe Shrimp, Pandanus danae Brittle Stars, probably but not definitely (?) Ophiopholis aculeata, often not visible (hiding in rocks) 1. Pipefish was released from Micro A (eelgrass) tank. It wasn't eating well, and will hopefully be happier and fatter (it's all relative, when you're a pipefish!) out in the eelgrass beds of Yaquina Bay with tasty plankton to feast on. 2. The largest flatfish in the Micro A (eelgrass) tank, which for argument's sake I will say is a juvenile English Sole, has moved to the Global Tank. There it has been joined by a Pacific Sanddab and three Starry Flounders. English soles are right-eyed flounders. Ours has a mottled light/darker brown color. Pacific Sanddabs are left-eyed flounders, and have more defined, smaller, rounder spots. Starry Flounders have distinct dark and yellowish alternating bands on their dorsal, ventral, and caudal fins. There are currently 6 juvenile flatfish in the Global tank. 3. Three juvenile flatfish have moved into the Micro A (eelgrass) tank, and two into the Micro-Rack E (ghost shrimp) tank. They are too small for me to ID--maybe Ron (procurer and provider of said flatfish) or Sylvia (possessor of MUCH fishy lore) knows what they are. They're small. They're roughly diamond-shaped. They have pointy heads and are a uniform dull brown color on top and pale gray-to-white color on the blind side. Unfortunately, I didn't try to ID them BEFORE I put them in their new homes, and they have, of course, buried themselves in the sand or gravel. Eye-level tank Tiger Rockfish (Sebastes nigrocinctus) has dark red-orange bars on white/pink body. They are normally found in deeper water (180-900 ft, according to Milton Love), and like to stay near the bottom, hiding in crevices. They are normally solitary. They can reach 2 feet in length. There are now 3 California Sheepheads in the Eye-Level tank. One of the remaining ones looks like it may turn into a male before too long. Notice that one of the pink Sheephead Wrasses in the Eye-Level tank is beginning to turn into a male (this process is called sequential hermaphroditism, when an animal begins life as one sex and then changes to the other after some time; in this case it is specifically "protogyny", in which the animals are first female then become male.) What determines when they change sex, or which fish do and which don't? Good question! Age/maturity and population strucutre (ratio of males to females) are important factors but many details are yet to be worked out. Sheephead wrasse are not the only ones that do this neat trick--a number of different groups of fish do. Why? Probably maximizes reproductive potential of the population and growth of individuals (which feeds back into the former, reproductive capacity). Several folks have asked about our sun[flower] sea stars, the Pycnopodia helianthoides. They developed a taste for fish, unfortunately, and so were banished from our tanks before they were the only animals left in them! They were released about a week ago at the south jetty. There is one small one (purplish in color) remaining in the Bird's Eye tank, but it is often hidden among the rocks on the bottom. Eye-level tank 12/12/00 List of Animals: Common Name Latin Name white encrusting sea sponge Haliclona spp giant green anemone Anthopleura xanthogrammica strawberry corallimorpharian Corynactis californica kelp greenling (female) Hexagrammos decagrammus copper rockfish Sebastes caurinus darkblotched rockfish Sebastes crameri buffalo sculpin Enophrys bison rock prickleback Xiphister mucosus black prickleback Xiphister atropurpureus red Irish lord Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus quillback rockfish Sebastes maliger silvergray rockfish Sebastes brevispinis tiger rockfish Sebastes nigrocinctus California sheephead Semicossyphus pulcher treefish Sebastes serriceps Copy for the Eye-level tank: copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) • Abundant in shallow water and in kelp beds bays among rocks. • Occasionally found resting on the bottom propped up by its fins • Adult females give live birth during April and May • Usually non-schooling as adults, but schools of tiny juveniles can be found among the eelgrass and kelp during the summer giant green anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) • Mutually beneficial symbiosis between the anemone and microscopic algae living inside of the animal gives the anemone a green appearance. • Algae provides the animal oxygen and food as byproducts of photosynthesis. In exchange, the anemone provides the algae a safe place to live and lots nutrients, similar to fertilizer. • OSU researchers are attempting to discover how juvenile anemones find and take up new algae, and how anemones recognize a symbiotic alga. kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) • Female is gray-brown with bright golden to light brown small spots on body and head. Male is dark gray with large bright blue spots on head and sides. • Common in sport catches off rocky coastline and jetties. • Males guard egg masses found on rocky areas. • Valuable fish in commercial live fish fishery. quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger) • Brown colored body is mottled with yellow and orange and has a bright yellow area running through spiny dorsal and down into upper half of side. Large spines of dorsal fin are deeply notched. • Non-schooling rockfish usually found "resting" on rocky bottom at moderate depths (100 to about 475 feet). • All rockfish species have internal fertilization and release tiny larvae. California sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher) • pink Sheephead Wrasses in the Eye-Level tank is beginning to turn into a male (this process is called sequential hermaphroditism, when an animal begins life as one sex and then changes to the other after some time; in this case it is specifically "protogyny", in which the animals are first female then become male.) What determines when they change sex, or which fish do and which don't? Good question! Age/maturity and population strucutre (ratio of males to females) are important factors but many details are yet to be worked out. Sheephead wrasse are not the only ones that do this neat trick--a number of different groups of fish do. Why? Probably maximizes reproductive potential of the population and growth of individuals (which feeds back into the former, reproductive capacity). We now have 4 kelp crabs, Pugettia producta, in the Bird's Eye tank (and they're quite handsome if they do say so themselves). Look for the three large ones on the standpipes in the corners of the tank or on the bottom among the rocks (they're too heavy for our imitation kelp), and the fourth smaller one up among the kelp floats. Kelp crabs are common on pilings and on kelp fronds, where they use extremely sharp spines on their legs and carapaces to cling in the waves. They can be found along the Pacific coast from BC to Baja, and are primarily herbivorous although they will also consume sessile animals (and small chunks of herring) when their normal plant foods are not available. One pit-tagged sablefish has been returned to the NOAA exhibit tank after a successful recuperation from injuries incurred in its bid for escape (making a total of 3 sablefish, 2 salmon, and 1 steelhead [and one big skate] in the tank). Maggie I just put a sailfin sculpin (Nautichthys oculofasciatus, which means banded-eye sailor fish) in the Micro A tank, the eelgrass tank. These fish are found from inshore to 110 m depth, and according to the Pacific Fishes of Canada, they "avoid freezing temperatures" (a fish after my own heart). It's a very attractive fish, with a long dorsal fin it raises when excited. Sandy eelgrass beds aren't their natural habitat; they would be more likely to be found in rocky areas, but we thought this tank would show it off to greater advantage. I have added 2 white-lined nudibranchs, Dirona albolineata, to the Featured research I tank. These animals feed on snails, sea anemones, sea squirts and bryozoans. I recently addedd a 4-armed leather star to exhibit in the Eye-level tank, and didn't want anyone to think it's a new injury. If my memory serves me correctly (you never know), the animal had lost an arm when in the Touch Tanks sometime last fall/winter, and has been in the West Wing recuperating. It has begun to regenerate its fifth arm, which can be seen as a small nub if you get a good look at the sea star. It provides a good interpretation opportunity to talk about regeneration in sea stars. Interesting tidbit: leather stars prey on sea anemones and urchins in the wild (ours are kept well-fed and don't seem to bother their tankmates), and engulf pieces of food and digest internally, rather than everting their stomachs as many of the other stars do. They reportedly smell strongly of garlic and/or sulfur when out of the water. Hi all, I have added a few more mussels to Touch Tank #3, as well as a few small plumose anemones, two more rock scallops, and some orange tunicates. Although they look like sponge, they are actually not closely related. Tunicates are in the phylum Chordata, like people! (OK, they're not VERY MUCH like people, but they do have a notochord, a very primitive version of our spinal cord.) Sponges are in the phylum Porifera. Our critters are a kind of tunicate called ascidians, and they are colonial (as opposed to the individual hairy sea squirts). Our colonial ascidians are most likely the genus Botryllus. Ascidians are found all over the world, attached to rocks, shells, reefs, docks, ships, etc. In Botryllus, each individual shares a common "tunic" with several others. The tunic is a fibrous matrix within which amoeboid cells and blood cells are found. Extensions of the tunic attach the colony to the substrate. The larger holes visible are common exhalent apertures shared by several individuals. Each individual has its own inhalent opening--the smaller holes just visible around the larger exhalent openings. These colonial ascidians are very common on docks in our area. SEA SLUGS Sea slugs or nudibranchs are related to snails (Phylum Mollusca), but do not have a shell. Because of their extraordinary large neurons, these animals are sometimes the experimental subjects of researchers interested in studying the nervous system. However, it is for their dramatic color or remarkable camouflage that nudibranchs are most well known. Dorid - type of nudibranch ("naked-gill") with retractable plume-like gills forming a circlet around the anus sea lemon, Anisodoris nobilis • feeds on several different types of sponges. Its egg masses are the ribbons of gelatinous material on the inside of the aquarium walls Aeolid (eolid) - type of nudibranch possessing cerata (finger-like respiratory structures on back) rather than a plume-like gill white-lined nudibranch, Dirona albolineata • feeds on snails, sea anemones, sea squirts and bryozoans Hermissenda, Hermissenda crassicornis • feeds primarily on sea anemones red octopus (Octopus rubescens) • small octopus (under 200 grams) with pointed and cylindrical body papillae (projections) • most common octopus in the nearshore of the Pacific NorthWest • feeds on a wide variety of molluscs and crustaceans • changes color with changing emotion state (white when tired or frightened; turns red when excited) WHY IS THERE A BEER BOTTLE IN THIS AQUARIUM? To determine their diet, O. rubescens were collected in beer bottle dens, evicted, measured and released. The shell contents of the bottles were then sieved, identified and compared to those from bottles not containing octopuses. The shell contents of bottles containing octopuses had significantly more species and significantly more shells than bottles without octopuses. Beer bottle trash on the sea floor is a non-polluting den resource for O. rubescens and is shown here to be a valuable tool for diet analysis. Determination of the Diet of Octopus rubescens Through Examination of its Beer Bottle Dens in Puget Sound - R.C. Anderson et.al If you haven't already, check out the snake prickleback in the Micro A exhibit (eelgrass tank). It was caught about 6 weeks ago in Yaquina Bay. Snake pricklebacks (Lumpenus saggita) are found in shallow bays and offshore waters from Japan up, around the Aleutians, and down AK-BC-WA-OR to San Francisco Bay. Their normal diet is listed as "planktonic copepods". (This info is from the FishBase website, www.fishbase.org, which has taxonomic, identification, life history, distribution, and other information about over 25000 species of fish. You can search by common name or parts thereof, scientific name, location, keyword, etc. It's a great reference, and really interesting!)