Colorful fish known to be poor swimmer discovered in Russia far from usual home
In a shallow tide pool off Russia’s Bering Island, a researcher caught, by hand, a small, colorful bottom-dweller typically only found along the northwestern coast of the United States.
It is the first time Chirolophis nugator — a species of prickleback fish also called the mosshead warbonnet — was discovered in Russian waters, according to a study published April 25 in the Journal of Ichthyology.
The prickleback, just under two inches long, was found in a tidal pool about six inches deep among hermit crabs, mollusks and isopods, according to the study.
Researchers said the species, typically found in coastal waters from the Aleutian Islands to Southern California, was most likely brought to Russia at the larval stage from the Aleutian Islands by the west-flowing Aleutian Current.
Mosshead warbonnets, most often found at depths of 66 feet or less, are known for being poor swimmers and lead a “bottom-dwelling,sedentary” lifestyle, “hiding under stones, in rock crevices and in empty mollusk shells,” according to the study.
This species of prickleback can reach a maximum length of about 5.7 inches and is distinguished by its “bright coloration,” according to researchers.
The fish caught off Bering Island had 12 “eye spots” on its dorsal fin that resemble the spots on the tail feathers of male peacocks, according to the study. This is characteristic of the species, researchers said.
Researchers said it is possible the mosshead warbonnet is a “native but rare species of the Commander Islands.”
Bering Island is part of the Commander Islands group, about 110 miles east of Kamchatka.
The research team included Alexei Tokranoc and Mikhail Vakurov.
This story was originally published May 5, 2025 at 3:44 PM with the headline "Colorful fish known to be poor swimmer discovered in Russia far from usual home."
