The monkeyface prickleback (Cebidichthys violaceus), also commonly known as the monkeyface eel, is a species of prickleback native to the Pacific coast of North America. Despite being commonly called an eel due to its body shape, it does not fall into the fish order Anguilliformes with true eels, but either the Perciformes, along with nearly half of all bony fish, or the Scorpaeniformes, according to different authorities. Ranging from southern Oregon down to the northern reaches of the Mexican state of Baja California, monkeyface pricklebacks are coastal fish that live in rocky, tidal areas close to shore. Adults are primarily herbivorous, feeding on red and green algae. Adults have few predators other than humans, but young fish are vulnerable to birds and other fish, such as grass rockfish. The species reaches a maximum size of 76 cm (30 in) and may live up to 18 years. The heaviest monkeyface prickleback recorded to date was just over 6 lb (2.7 kg).
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