HELP Found in kure beach nc

[Wweste47211]

Found this guy in kure beach nc about a week ago he's eating small pieces of cut shrimp periodically but I have no clue what it is google says lizzardfish but its not got the same face as a lizardfish I thought stargazer because the way he burrows with only his face out but he dosent match any species in the area he wiggles his body and berries completely underwater then blows water out and makes a spot where his mouth and eyes are exposed only swims is unburried by force then immediately burries back under the sand and will scoot deeper into the sand to hide if scared

 

[tbrown]

Almost looks like a Sculpin of some sort. Not sure though.

@ReefSquad

 

[Wweste47211]

The only Sculpins in north carolina acording to there species chart are freshwater tho this is saltwater

 

[Wweste47211]

Almost looks like a Sculpin of some sort. Not sure though.

@ReefSquad

It's saltwater tho not freshwater

 

[Fish Fan]

If not a sculpin, then maybe one of the various Gobies native to the area:
https://ncfishes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Goby.pdf

It's also possible this is an invasive fish, so not showing up on a list of native fish.

I'd also make sure it was legal to collect, just to be safe

 

[Baldyreef]

very low chance but maybe Microgobius gulosus