[7] This species is commonly associated with kelp forest edges, where it displays a strong habitat preference for these ecotones and contributes significantly to the structure of fish assemblages in these regions.

[8][9] This habitat selection likely supports its specific dietary needs, as these benthic environments offer a variety of prey types suitable for the species' feeding strategy.

[8] As a suction feeder, A. fenestralis utilizes a specialized feeding mechanism it rapidly expands its buccal cavity to create negative pressure, effectively pulling prey into its mouth.

[9] Its primary prey items include gammarid amphipods, isopods, shrimp, and bivalves, with smaller proportions of gastropods, polychaetes, and other benthic organisms also contributing to its diet.

[9] The species is particularly adapted to feeding on benthic organisms in rocky habitats, where its suction-feeding strategy allows it to efficiently capture sedentary prey.

[11] In terms of breeding season and location, A. fenestralis spawns in shallow waters, typically within rocky intertidal zones or near kelp forests, where the structural complexity of the habitat offers protection for the developing eggs.

Phylogenetic analysis places A. fenestralis within a group of species that exhibit both morphological and genetic diversity, highlighting the complexity of its evolutionary relationships.

Artedius fenestralis has been reported to host several species of nematodes, particularly those belonging to the family Cystidicolidae, which are common parasites in marine fishes.

[15] This parasitic relationship may also indicate the sculpin's role in marine food webs, as nematodes often use intermediate hosts such as invertebrates, which are common prey for A.