It sports iridescent plumes that are in fact gills. Grub for Gunnels Gunnels are often confused with eels. Their top fin is long and spiny. Gunnels swim in shallow water among eelgrass blades, feeding on crustaceans and mollusks. The bay pipefish grows to about 13 inches long and is related to the seahorse.
Males incubate young in a brood patch.
They eat small crustaceans within eelgrass meadows. Dredging destroys eelgrass and eliminates food and shelter for an entire ecosystem. Structures such as docks can prevent eelgrass from getting enough light to grow. Herring egg photo by Dan Penttila, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. All About Eelgrass, Port Townsend Marine Science Center.