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Flabby sculpin (Zesticelus profundorum) — Cottidae

Flabby sculpin

Zesticelus profundorum
Family: Cottidae

The Flabby sculpin (Zesticelus profundorum) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
88–2,580 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Canada, Mexico, Russia, USA, Alaska

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Description

The flabby sculpin is a small sculpin (Cottidae) from cold, deeper waters of the northeast Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a stocky, flabby, grey-brown body with a large head, large pectoral fins and a soft, almost scaleless skin. As a bottom-dweller of the depths it rests on mud bottoms and snaps at small crustaceans and other benthic life. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flabby sculpin?

The Flabby sculpin has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Flabby sculpin live?

The Flabby sculpin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Canada, Mexico, Russia, USA, Alaska

How big does the Flabby sculpin get?

The Flabby sculpin grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Flabby sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Flabby sculpin is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Flabby sculpin (Zesticelus profundorum) — Cottidae — 2
GBIF (© President and Fellows of Harvard College)
Flabby sculpin (Zesticelus profundorum) — Cottidae — 3
GBIF (© President and Fellows of Harvard College)
Flabby sculpin (Zesticelus profundorum) — Cottidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Barton Warren Evermann / Edmund Lee Goldsborough (Public domain) [illustratie/foto]

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All data

Identification

English name
Flabby sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Zesticelus profundorum
Family
Cottidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
88 verified
Max depth (m)
2,580 verified
Natural range
North America: Canada, Mexico, Russia, USA, Alaska sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cottidae

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