Species profile
Monkey-faced Prickleback
Cebidichthys violaceus
Identify Monkey-faced Prickleback (Cebidichthys violaceus) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Monkey-faced Prickleback (Cebidichthys violaceus) is a bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 1,176 research-grade iNaturalist observations across the species' range.
Notable details
- It is one of the few marine fish that eats almost entirely algae.
- Adults can reach 61 cm (24 inches) in length.
- It survives low tide by hiding in moist rock crevices and breathing air.
- Found in rocky intertidal zones from Baja California to British Columbia.
- Its wrinkled, expressive face directly inspired its memorable common name.
Where Monkey-faced Prickleback are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Monkey-faced Prickleback
Background
The monkeyface prickleback (Cebidichthys violaceus), also commonly known as the monkeyface eel, is a species of prickleback native to the Pacific coast of North America. Despite being commonly called an eel due to its body shape, it does not fall into the fish order Anguilliformes with true eels, but the Perciformes along with most bony fishes.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Monkey-faced Prickleback article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Monkey-faced Prickleback?
Monkey-faced Prickleback (Cebidichthys violaceus) is a bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Monkey-faced Prickleback?
Monkey-faced Prickleback is Cebidichthys violaceus.
Is Monkey-faced Prickleback regulated for fishing?
Yes — Monkey-faced Prickleback has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Monkey-faced Prickleback?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Monkey-faced Prickleback along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.