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The Decorated Warbonnet (chirolophis-decoratus) is a fish from the decoratus species (family - Stichaeidae). Its genus name, Chirolophis, comes from two Greek roots: chiros (meaning hand) and lophos (meaning crest). The species name, Decorates, is a Latin word meaning ornamented. ^[1] The Decorated Warbonnet was given its name because of the prominent cirri on its head which resembles the feathers in an Indian Chieftain’s war bonnet.

Common Names

Some of the Chirolophis decoratus' most common names are^[2] :

    •Decorated Warbonnet
    •Decorated Prickleback
    •Decorated Blenny

Appearance

The bold cirri on its head extend continuously along its dorsal fin. More cirri project from the preoperculum , operculum, and under the lower jaw. There is some speculation as to the purpose of the cirri. It could act as camouflage to help the fish blend in with the surrounding mossy invertebrates which surround its habitat. Another possibility is that it acts as a lure for unsuspecting fish. ^[2] Behind the head, the body is eel-like and can grow up to 42 cm (about 15 inches) long. Coloration is pale brown with white to cream markings, being paler below. The upper part of the body contains irregular light areas and the lower contain vertical light bars. Dark bars run from the eyes down. There are also dark bars on the dorsal fins, caudal fins, and anal fins. The large eyes and thick lips give the Decorated Warbonnet an almost cartoon like look. They have 61 or 62 total dorsal spines, 0 dorsal soft rays, 1 anal spine, and anywhere from 44 to 51 anal soft rays. Its caudal fin is rounded. ^[3]

Habitat

The Decorated Warbonnet is a salt water fish which is found in the North Pacific from Kamchatka, Russia through the Aleutian Chain and the Bering Sea to the Bering Strait coasts of Alaska and Humboldt Bay, California, USA. They are a cold-water fish that tend to live in rocks, seaweed, algae, and crevices along the rocky ocean floor. The depth range is sub tidal to 91 meters. They are very shy creatures and rarely travel far from their home. ^[3]

Diet

The diet of the Decorated Warbonnet consists mainly of small invertebrates including mollusks, polychae'tes, hydroids, and anemones. It will also eat shrimp and other small creatures which wander near its habitat. ^[4]

Human Uses

Because of its relative rarity and interesting appearance, the Decorated Warbonnet is used mainly for human enjoyment in aquariums.

Classification

Domain: Eukaryota  -  Whittaker & Margulis,1978 - eukaryotes 
   Kingdom: Animalia  - Linnaeus, 1758 - animals 
       Subkingdom: Bilateria  - (Hatschek, 1888) Cavalier-Smith, 1983 
            Branch: Deuterostomia  - Grobben, 1908 
   	          Infrakingdom: Chordonia  - (Haeckel, 1874) Cavalier-Smith, 1998 
                      Phylum: Chordata  - Bateson, 1885 - Chordates 
   		            Subphylum: Vertebrata  - Cuvier, 1812 - Vertebrates 
                                Infraphylum: Gnathostomata  - Auct. - Jawed Vertebrates 
                                     Superclass: Osteichthyes  - Huxley, 1880 - Bony Fishes 
   			                   Class: Osteichthyes  - Huxley, 1880 - Bony Fishes 
  				                Subclass: Actinopterygii  - Ray-Finned Fishes 
      				                    Infraclass: Actinopteri  
      				                         Cohort: Clupeocephala  
   					                      Superorder: Acanthopterygii  
  					                           Order: Perciformes   
                                                                       Suborder: Zoarcoidei  
      						                             Family: Stichaeidae  - Pricklebacks 
                                                                                 Genus: Chirolophis  - (Jordan & Snyder, 1902) 
                                                                                      Specific name: decoratus - (Jordan & Snyder, 1902) 
                                                                                           Scientific name: - Chirolophis decoratus 
                                                                                          (Jordan & Snyder, 1902) ^[2]

References

^ Denning, David. "A Fish With A Furry Head". Retrieved September 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
^ ^a ^b ^c Stang, David. "Chirolophis decoratus (Decorated Prickleback)". ZipcodeZoo.com. Retrieved September 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help) Cite error: The named reference "second" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b "Chirolophis Decoratus". SearchFish.org. Cite error: The named reference "third" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
^ Robson, Collins (1967). California Fish and Game. 62 (4): 326 http://cluster.biodiversitylibrary.org/c/californiafishga62_4cali/californiafishga62_4cali.pdf#page=82. Retrieved September 2011. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

[beginning-1] Denning, David. "A Fish With A Furry Head". Retrieved September 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

[second-2] Stang, David. "Chirolophis decoratus (Decorated Prickleback)". ZipcodeZoo.com. Retrieved September 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help) Cite error: The named reference "second" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).

[third-3] "Chirolophis Decoratus". SearchFish.org. Cite error: The named reference "third" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).

[Last-4] Robson, Collins (1967). California Fish and Game. 62 (4): 326 http://cluster.biodiversitylibrary.org/c/californiafishga62_4cali/californiafishga62_4cali.pdf#page=82. Retrieved September 2011. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

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