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Threaded sculpin (Gymnocanthus pistilliger) — Cottidae

Threaded sculpin

Gymnocanthus pistilliger
Family: Cottidae

The Threaded sculpin (Gymnocanthus pistilliger) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–325.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The threaded sculpin is a sculpin (Cottidae) from cold coastal waters of the northern Pacific, around the Bering Sea and East Asia. The species grows to about 28 cm and has a stocky, brown-mottled body with a large, bony head; males have thread-like elongate front dorsal rays. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Threaded sculpin?

The Threaded sculpin has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Threaded sculpin live?

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

How big does the Threaded sculpin get?

The Threaded sculpin grows to a maximum of about 28 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Threaded sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Threaded sculpin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Draadvin-donderpad sourced
English name
Threaded sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Gymnocanthus pistilliger
Family
Cottidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Average length (cm)
19.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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)
325.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
12.0 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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