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Woolly sculpin (Clinocottus analis) — Cottidae

Woolly sculpin

Clinocottus analis
Family: Cottidae

The Woolly sculpin (Clinocottus analis) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–18.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The wooly sculpin is a sculpin (Cottidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has a stocky body with a broad head, small skin appendages (cirri) on the back and a mottled pattern. It is a resident of the intertidal zone with pronounced homing behaviour and often keeps among intertidal algae. It can survive briefly out of water. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small crustaceans, algae and other small bottom life. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Woolly sculpin?

The Woolly sculpin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Woolly sculpin live?

The Woolly sculpin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Woolly sculpin get?

The Woolly sculpin grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Woolly sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Woolly sculpin is harmless to humans.

Is the Woolly sculpin edible?

The Woolly sculpin is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Wollige donderpad sourced
English name
Woolly sculpin verified
Scientific name
Clinocottus analis
Family
Cottidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
18.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Clinocottus

More from the family Cottidae

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