Clinocottus acuticeps is a species of fish in the family Cottidae. It is sometimes known as a sharpnose sculpin. It inhabits rocky areas of the intertidal and subtidal nearshore environment, but also over sand and algae. This fish is brownish to green on the dorsum and on the side, cream-colored to white on the bottom part of the body. The face is silvery to white. It features about six dark spots (with light spots between the dark ones) in the shape of a saddle on the dorsum. The fins have spots or dark and clear bands.