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Blackedged sculpin (Gymnocanthus herzensteini) — Cottidae

Blackedged sculpin

Gymnocanthus herzensteini
Family: Cottidae

The Blackedged sculpin (Gymnocanthus herzensteini) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 32 cm.

Length
32 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–300.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

Herzenstein's sculpin is a sculpin (Cottidae) from cold coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 32 cm and has a stocky, brown-mottled body with a large, bony head and dark-edged fins. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and small fish. It is a local bycatch fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackedged sculpin?

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

Where does the Blackedged sculpin live?

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

How big does the Blackedged sculpin get?

The Blackedged sculpin grows to a maximum of about 32 cm. On average the species is around 29 cm.

Is the Blackedged sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackedged sculpin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Herzensteins donderpad sourced
English name
Blackedged sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Gymnocanthus herzensteini
Family
Cottidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
32.0 verified
Average length (cm)
28.5 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
300.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

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 Gymnocanthus

More from the family Cottidae

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