January 2017 archives
Order Acipenseriformes Sturgeons—Family Acipenseridae Green sturgeon caught by Matty at the McNear Pier in 2006 Species: Acipenser medirostris (Ayres, 1854); from the Latin words Acipenser (bony cartilage), medi (moderate), and rostris (snout). Alternate Names: Golden sturgeon. Called esturión verde in Mexico. Identification: Green sturgeon have streamlined, shark-like bodies with a pointed head that is longer [...]
Order Scorpaeniformes Scorpionfishes and Rockfishes — Family Scorpaenidae Genus Scorpaena California Scorpionfish Species: Scorpaena guttata (Girard, 1854); from the Greek word scorpaena (scorpion, referring to the poison spines), and the Latin word guttata (a form of small drops or spotting). Alternate Names: Commonly called sculpin although also called scorpionfish, scorpion, little poker, rattlesnake and scorpene. [...]