Buffalo Sculpin

The buffalo sculpin has a dorsal fins which are supported by between 7 and 9 spines and between 10 and 13 soft rays while the anal fin has 8 or 9 soft rays. The pelvic fins are small and the caudal fin is rounded. This species reaches a maximum published total length of 37 cm (15 in). This species is well-camouflaged and has a mottled pattern, which varies from pink and green to brown in colour, and there are dark saddle patches along the back. There is a long, straight preopercular spine projecting from each cheek. The lateral line is made up of prominent raised plates. The snout is short and blunt.

This fish species occurs in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, from Kodiak Island, Alaska, to Monterey Bay, California, USA. They are typically found in rocky or sandy reef environments, where they can camouflage themselves in rocks and seaweed. These fish commonly inhabit a depths down to 20 m (66 ft), though the deepest recorded depth is at 220 m (720 ft).