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Bald sculpin (Clinocottus recalvus) — Cottidae

Bald sculpin

Clinocottus recalvus
Family: Cottidae

The Bald sculpin (Clinocottus recalvus) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bald sculpin is a sculpin (Cottidae) from the tidal zone of the northeast Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky body with a broad, spiny head, large pectoral fins and a scaleless, brown-green mottled skin. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among weed, stones and in tide pools, often strongly camouflaged, and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bald sculpin?

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

Where does the Bald sculpin live?

The Bald sculpin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bald sculpin get?

The Bald sculpin grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Bald sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Bald sculpin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kale donderpad sourced
English name
Bald sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Clinocottus recalvus
Family
Cottidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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