The Rhamphocottidæ consist of a single little sculpin with a large bony and singularly formed head, found on the Pacific Coast from Sitka to Monterey. The species is called Rhamphocottus richardsoni.
The Sea-poachers: Agonidæ.—The sea-poachers or alligator-fishes, Agonidæ, are sculpins inclosed in a coat of mail made by a series of overlying plates, much like those of the sea-horses or the catfishes of the family Loricariidæ. So far as structure goes, these singular fishes are essentially like the Cottidæ, but with a different and more perfect armature. The many species belong chiefly to the North Pacific, a few in the Atlantic and on the coast of Patagonia. Some are found in considerable depth of water. All are too small to have value as food and some have most fantastic forms. Only a few of the most prominent need be noticed. The largest and most peculiar species is Percis japonicus of the Kurile Islands. Still more fantastic is the Japanese Draciscus sachi with sail-like dorsal and anal. Agonus cataphractus, the sea-poacher, is the only European species. Podothecus acipenserinus, the alligator-fish, is the commonest species of the North Pacific. Pallasina barbata is as slender as a pipefish, with a short beard at the chin. Aspidophoroides monopterygius of the Atlantic and other similar species of the Pacific lack the spinous dorsal fin.
Fig. 398.—Ereunias grallator Jordan & Snyder. Misaki, Japan.
Fig. 399.—Sleek Sculpin, Psychrolutes paradoxus (Günther). Puget Sound.
Fig. 400.—Gilbertidia sigolutes (Jordan). Puget Sound.
Fig. 401.—Richardson's Sculpin, Rhamphocottus richardsoni (Günther). Puget Sound.