Spotty-bellied greenling is a fish of shallow rocky shores and seaweed beds in the northwestern Pacific. A rounded tail and one line on each side for sensing water movement help distinguish spotty-bellied greenling from the fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii). Spotty-bellied greenling is not known to occur in the wild along U.S. coasts.

Appearance

Appearance
The body is long and often mottled brown or reddish. The tail edge is rounded, and one runs along each side.

Where it lives

Typical habitats
  • Shallow rocky shores
  • Seaweed beds
Range
Native to the northwest Pacific around Korea, Japan, and nearby Russian waters. It is not part of the documented U.S. coastal fauna.

Behavior

Diet
In Korea’s Jindong Bay, young fish take small crustaceans; larger ones eat many snails and crabs.

Life cycle

Breeding season
Breeding occurs in fall and winter in its native range.
Nest
Males guard eggs placed around rocks or seaweed until they hatch.

Conservation

IUCN Red List
NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed
5 sources
  1. iNaturalist taxon 615450
  2. 국립수산과학원 노래미
  3. 瀬戸内海魚類目録: クジメ
  4. Comparative Feeding Ecology of Two Sympatric Greenling Species
  5. FishBase: Hexagrammos agrammus
Spotty-Bellied Greenling (Hexagrammos agrammus) — identification, habitat & look-alikes | Moeyo