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Bull sculpin (Enophrys taurina) — Cottidae

Bull sculpin

Enophrys taurina
Family: Cottidae

The Bull sculpin (Enophrys taurina) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
11.0–256.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bull sculpin is a sculpin (Cottidae) from cold coastal waters of the northeast Pacific, off California. The species grows to about 17 cm and has a stocky body with a large, broad head set with bony spines and projections, no scales and broad pectoral fins. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among rocks and weed and ambushes small crustaceans, molluscs and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bull sculpin?

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

Where does the Bull sculpin live?

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

How big does the Bull sculpin get?

The Bull sculpin grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Bull sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Bull sculpin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stierdonderpad sourced
English name
Bull sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Enophrys taurina
Family
Cottidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
11.0 verified
Max depth (m)
256.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Enophrys

More from the family Cottidae

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