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Marbled sculpin (Cottus klamathensis) — Cottidae

Marbled sculpin

Cottus klamathensis
Family: Cottidae

The Marbled sculpin (Cottus klamathensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Marbled sculpin is a freshwater sculpin (Cottidae) from the Klamath basin in the western United States. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a stocky body with a large, broad head, no scales and broad pectoral fins. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among stones and gravel of clear, cool streams and hunts insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Marbled sculpin?

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

Where does the Marbled sculpin live?

The Marbled sculpin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Marbled sculpin get?

The Marbled sculpin grows to a maximum of about 9 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Marbled sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Marbled sculpin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gemarmerde donderpad sourced
English name
Marbled sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Cottus klamathensis
Family
Cottidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Average length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
5.0 verified

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 Cottus

More from the family Cottidae

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