New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine 🌡️ Subtropical

Black prickleback

Xiphister atropurpureus Kittlitz, 1858
Max Length
30.5 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2.5
Depth
8–12 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
31.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Facultative air-breathing ; Juveniles and adults inhabit intertidal areas down to 8 m depth ; Individuals to 2 cm in length have been taken from surface waters . Found under rocks and in gravel areas . May remain out of water under rocks or seaweed . Breathe air and can stay out of water for 10-23 hours if kept moist . Oviparous, eggs are laid in several clumps or masses which are guarded by the male .

Scientific Name
Xiphister atropurpureus
Authority
Kittlitz, 1858
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Max Length
30.5 cm
Depth Range
8–12 m
Trophic Level
2.5
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
31.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 65 - 73; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 40 - 52. Caudal rounded; pectorals as minute flaps . Dark reddish brown to black with head pale enough to display 3 dark light-edged bands radiating from each eye; light band sometimes prominent across base of caudal fin and extending on dorsal and anal fins .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Black prickleback is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Black prickleback is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Eggs are laid in several clumps or masses which are guarded by the male . 101194

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 8 - 12 m . Subtropical; 59°N - 27°N, 156°W - 114°W

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
2.5±0.2

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00389 × L3.12 (TL)
Max TL
30.5cm
Dorsal Spines
69
Anal Rays
46

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
31.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.5
Omnivore / Planktivore
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Kittlitz, 1858

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English black prickleback
🇫🇷French lompénie noir · lompénie noire
🇷🇺Russian Восьмилинейный морской вьюн
🇪🇸Spanish abrojo negro

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Anoplarchus atropurpureus Kittlitz 1858 Synonym
Centronotus cristagalli Günther 1861 Synonym
Epigeichthys atropurpureus Kittlitz 1858 Synonym
Ophidium atropurpureum Kittlitz 1858 Synonym
Xiphidion rupestre Jordan & Gilbert 1880 Synonym
Xiphister rupestris Jordan & Gilbert 1880 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 13 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Black prickleback ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.