These tiny grunts, probably tomtates, settled on a special type of Essential Fish Habitat known as “nearshore hardbottom.” These fish are swimming in only a few feet of water. Nearshore hardbottom provides cover from predators during a most vulnerable stage in their development. Photo credit: Dan Snyder

These tiny grunts, probably tomtates, settled on a special type of Essential Fish Habitat known as “nearshore hardbottom.” These fish are swimming in only a few feet of water. Nearshore hardbottom provides cover from predators during a most vulnerable stage in their development. Photo credit: Dan Snyder