Named for its elongated, sail-like first dorsal fin, the sailfin sculpin is a popular subject of public aquaria; it is of no interest to commercial fishery.

Of the typical cottoid body plan, the sailfin sculpin is noted for its conspicuous first dorsal fin dominated by the first four spines, of approximately equal length.

[2] The sailfin sculpin is a demersal species, swimming along the bottom with its distinctive dorsal fin held erect and extended forward.

N. oculofasciatus inhabits rocky coastal waters to ~110 metres where algae growth is plentiful.

During late winter to early spring, the sailfin sculpin migrates into the shallower intertidal zone to spawn.