Saltwater · Year-round; most active in the warm months, May to October

Painted Greenling

Oxylebius pictus

A tiny, vividly barred reef fish nicknamed the 'convict fish' for its bold dark bars and red spots. Males guard eggs laid in empty shells and among anemones, and the species is an aquarium favourite — most anglers admire it and let it go.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Painted Greenling — Photo: David Csepp, NMFS/AKFSC/ABL., Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Identifying features

Five or six bold dark bars across a pale body — the 'convict fish' pattern
Bright red-orange spots scattered over the body and fins
Long, pointed snout, unlike the blunt heads of other greenlings
Tall front dorsal fin, often held erect like a sail
Small size — rarely over 10 in (25 cm) long

Habits

Males guard eggs laid in empty shells and among anemones, fanning them until they hatch
Lives singly on shallow rocky reefs, often beside large sea anemones
Feeds on small shrimp, crabs and other tiny crustaceans
Colours deepen in the breeding season, males becoming darkest
An aquarium favourite for its colours — almost always released by anglers

Distribution

San Francisco, CA · California★ Primary

San Diego, CA · California★ Primary

Puget Sound, WA · WashingtonCommon

Portland, OR · OregonCommon

Where to find them

Southern California pier pilings and breakwaters
Kelp edges and rocky reefs off the California coast
Rocky jetties and shore reefs from Oregon to Puget Sound

Where they live

Shallow rocky reefs and kelp edgesPier pilings and harbour rockAnemone beds on rocky bottom

How to catch them

Tiny hooks with shrimp bits at pilings and reefs Rock fishing

Rig: Light rod, size 8-12 hook with a pea-sized shrimp bit and a small split shot, fished straight down beside pier pilings and reef rock

Bait/lure: Shrimp bits

Key tip: Drop the bait right against the piling — painted greenling dart out, grab it and dive back in a flash.

Small jigs in kelp edges (mostly an ID encounter) Rock fishing

Rig: Ultralight rod with a micro jig or tiny soft plastic hopped along kelp edges and reef tops

Bait/lure: Micro jigs and tiny soft plastics

Key tip: Expect it as a colourful bycatch while fishing for larger reef fish — photograph and release it quickly.

Best baits & lures

Tiny shrimp bits on small hooksSmall crab and mussel piecesMicro jigs

Techniques for Painted Greenling →

Baseline setup

Rod: Light 6 ft spinning rod
Line: 4-8 lb mono
Terminal: Size 8-12 hooks, micro jigs, split shot

Recommended gear for this species

Rod · Best value

9' 5-weight fly rod outfit

≈ US$180-260

Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.

Flies · Budget

Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)

≈ US$25-40

Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.

Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.

Typical size

Common 4-8 in (10-20 cm); large fish to about 10 in (25 cm)

On the table

Poor — tiny and far too pretty to eat; almost always released.

Similar species

Rock GreenlingRock greenling is far larger and heavily mottled red-brown with no bold bars; painted greenling is small, pale and sharply barred with red spots

Kelp GreenlingKelp greenling is slimmer, plainer and larger, with rust or gold spotting but no dark convict bars or red spots

Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →

Plan a trip for Painted Greenling

Build today's plan