7-3-14 Kelp greenling - Golovin, Alaska, USA
Observation: A kelp greenlings were caught on rod and reel over the July 4th weekend (fish ranging from 11-13 inches long). Fish like this are rare in this area, internet info said they are rarely seen above the Aleutians. Post by Pearl Mikulski, Carol Oliver & Toby Anungazuk Jr.
Photo of Female Kelp Greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus), source: Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Fishing & Shellfish
LEO says: The kelp greenling is in the family Hexagrammidae, and shares a taxonomic relationship with Lingcod. The male and female look so different that they were first described as separate species. The body color is variable in both sexes, ranging from light gray to brown. Males have large irregular blue patches anteriorly. Females are uniformly covered with smaller reddish-brown to golden spots and have yellowish-orange fins. Populations range from La Jolla, California to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. They are rare in southern California though. Kelp greenlings are not known to migrate; adults are often territorial, particularly during spawning season." You can read more here (link). LEOs please note: Another unusual fish catch was made in Togiak in June, (see LEO map (link) another Aleutian fish an Atka mackerel which was somewhat out of its range. LEO Network is interested in other sightings of unusual fish, Atka mackerel, kelp greenlings and others.
Consult: This post was forwarded to NOAA and UAF SeaGrant MAP agents.
