Esselenichthys laurae (Follett & Anderson, 1990)
Twoline prickleback

Family:  Stichaeidae (Pricklebacks), subfamily: Xiphisterinae
Max. size:  9.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 46 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Farallon Islands, California to Punta Banda, Baja California Norte, Mexico.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 38-43; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-18; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 42-44; Vertebrae: 60-62. Pelvic fins present, each of a minute spine; first dorsal spine associated with first pterygiophore; first anal pterygiophore noticeably more massive than second; ventrolateral lateral line not connected; meridioventral lateral line absent (Ref. 48788). Caudal fin rounded.
Biology:  Subtidal species found in rocky areas among benthic encrusting communities in algal cover or kelp holdfasts (Ref. 48788). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.