Roger Steeb, USA
Info
Xiphister mucosus, like few other fish, can survive for a period of time on land, which it has the ability to breathe air in such cases.
It succeeds best when it finds a hiding place under algae or kelp, when the low tide has withdrawn the water too8 quickly from rocky reefs or from tide pools.
With the next high tide, the air-breather reverts to gill-breathing underwater.
Xiphister mucosus is quite common at its sites of occurrence.
The species name "mucosus" means slimy.
Synonyms:
Xiphidion mucosum Girard, 1858
Xiphidium cruoreum Cope, 1873
Xiphistes mucosus (Girard, 1858)
It succeeds best when it finds a hiding place under algae or kelp, when the low tide has withdrawn the water too8 quickly from rocky reefs or from tide pools.
With the next high tide, the air-breather reverts to gill-breathing underwater.
Xiphister mucosus is quite common at its sites of occurrence.
The species name "mucosus" means slimy.
Synonyms:
Xiphidion mucosum Girard, 1858
Xiphidium cruoreum Cope, 1873
Xiphistes mucosus (Girard, 1858)
