page_title: Grunt sculpin
section_title: Reproduction
hierarchical_section_title: Grunt sculpin / Reproduction
caption_attribution_description: English: Grunt Sculpin (Rhamphocottus richardsoni) [1]
context_page_description: The grunt sculpin or grunt-fish is a small fish mainly found in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The grunt sculpin generally remains close to shore and is often found in empty giant barnacle shells. It was first identified by Albert Günther in 1874 and was named in honor of naturalist John Richardson. The common name comes from reports that the fish vibrate or "grunt" when held. Its defining feature is its tendency to “hop” along the ocean floor on its orange fins. The short, stout body of the grunt sculpin has a long, small mouth which is adapted for eating smaller prey.
context_section_description: Spawning generally occurs at the rocky shores from August to October. The female is the dominant mate in reproduction and will chase and trap the male within a rocky crevice until she has laid all her eggs (about 150). The eggs will hatch 16-20 weeks after fertilization depending on the temperature conditions. Larvae forms have been reported from March to June. The larvae must remain near the shore as that is the habitat in which the grunt sculpin can survive. If the larva is lost to planktonic dispersal in the open ocean then the fish is unlikely to survive. How the larvae are adapted and influenced by environmental factors to remain close to shore is unclear.
caption: Grunt Sculpin. Courtesy: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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