About Anoplarchus purpurescens Gill, 1861
Anoplarchus purpurescens is a long-bodied fish with base coloration that ranges from grey with olive undertones to brown, sometimes with reddish undertones. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism. Females have more muted overall colors, with more prominent green or brown patterning. Their cockscomb and the lower surface of their heads are yellow with speckles, while these same areas are pale and speckle-free in males. During the breeding season, males develop bright orange and reddish coloration on their fins. This fish is native to the Pacific Ocean, where its range extends from the Pribilof Islands in the north to Santa Rosa Island in the south, spanning latitudes from 66°N to 32°N. It lives in coastal habitats at depths no greater than 30 meters below the sea surface, staying close to the ocean floor and within the intertidal zone. The species is able to breathe air, which lets it survive 15 to 25 hours out of water as long as it stays moist.
