In early January 2024, Feiro received some new fish from the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. This transfer was approved via permit by the State of Washington. During the hour-long drive from Port Townsend, the fish rested comfortably in a large cooler filled with seawater and aerators to provide continuous oxygen. One of them, a large female cabezon, also brought her nickname “Big Mama” with her. Big Mama is living in our newest exhibit. The 720-gallon habitat features realistic kelp from Biomodel (that lasts all year long) and fabricated rocks from Universal (that do not add to the weight of an already heavy tank), which provide hiding and resting spaces.
Cabezons are the largest member of the sculpin family. At Feiro Big Mama eats thawed herring and shrimp, as well as live shore crabs. Like many other fish, cabezons need different habitats at different life stages to successfully reach adulthood, including the open ocean, the intertidal, kelp forests, and rocky reefs.
Big Mama recently laid eggs, but since she was never housed with a male, it’s unlikely those eggs were fertilized. Fish eggs often are a useful source of protein for other animals, but cabezon eggs are poisonous to many mammals and birds (including humans). Cabezon fish can be consumed by people (except stay away from those eggs!), and their flesh has an unusual bluish hue until cooked, when it turns white.
We look forward to getting to know Big Mama and sharing her life with you!
