Family Zaniolepididae

Combfishes

Selected Characters: First three dorsal spines elongate; deep notch between spinous and soft-rayed portions of dorsal fin; first two pelvic rays long, thickened; one lateral line present; scales ctenoid.

This small family, endemic to the northeast Pacific, is sometimes considered a subfamily of the Hexagrammidae. There are only two species of combfish, one of which occurs in our region. The Longspine Combfish can be up to 30 cm long and is usually found on the bottom at depths between 35 and 200 meters. It is moderately common in Puget Sound.

Puget Sound Species

Zaniolepis latipinnis Longspine Combfish