Black Prickleback

Xiphister atropurpureus

Photographs courtesy of the Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center and Oregon Sea Grant.

In-depth Information Regarding this Species

U.S. Range in the Pacific Ocean	Kodiak Island to Baja (Eschmeyer and Herald 1983)
Habitat	Rocky area with algae cover (Love 1996)
Substrate	Gravel (Eschmeyer and Herald 1983)
Depth range (meters)	Intertidal to 7.6 (Eschmeyer and Herald 1983)
Behavior	Large ones under rocks Smaller ones in tidepools (Love 1996)
Average Maximum Overall Length (cm)	30.5 (Love 1996, Eschmeyer and Herald 1983)
Overall Length to Age Ratio (cm/age in years)	10.2/2 20.3/6 25.4/12 (Love 1996)
Overall Maximum Age (years)	12–13 (Love 1996)
Overall Age at Maturity (years)	2–3 (Love 1996)
Fecundity	738–4,070 (Love 1996)
Spawning Behavior	Males may fertilize and guard more than one nest Males not territorial (Love 1996) Male guards eggs (Eschmeyer and Herald 1983)
Time of Year of Spawning	February–April (California) April–May (British Columbia) (Love 1996)
Habitat where Eggs are found	In nests under boulders Needs wave action (Love 1996) Eggs laid under rocks (Eschmeyer and Herald 1983)
Adult Food Preference	Gammarid Amphipods, Worms, Algae (Love 1996)
Ornamental Market	Possible

Recent Wild Harvest Data for Oregon
Data from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Year	Total Catch (Pounds)	Ex-vessel Value ( U.S. Dollars)
1989	N/A	N/A
1990	N/A	N/A
1991	N/A	N/A
1992	N/A	N/A
1993	N/A	N/A
1994	N/A	N/A
1995	N/A	N/A
1996	N/A	N/A
1997	N/A	N/A
1998	N/A	N/A

© 2003 Stephen Sempier