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Hookhorn sculpin (Artediellus pacificus) — Cottidae

Hookhorn sculpin

Artediellus pacificus
Family: Cottidae

The Hookhorn sculpin (Artediellus pacificus) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15–137 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Europe: Russia, Alaska

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Description

The hookhorn sculpin is a sculpin (Cottidae) from cold, shallow rocky and muddy water of the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky body with a large, broad head and a conspicuous, upward-curved hook-like spine on the gill cover. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among stones, shells and weed and seizes small crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hookhorn sculpin?

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

Where does the Hookhorn sculpin live?

The Hookhorn sculpin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Europe: Russia, Alaska

How big does the Hookhorn sculpin get?

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

Is the Hookhorn sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Hookhorn 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

Hookhorn sculpin (Artediellus pacificus) — Cottidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Barton Warren Evermann / Edmund Lee Goldsborough (Public domain) [illustratie/foto]

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All data

Identification

English name
Hookhorn sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Artediellus pacificus
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Pacific hookear sculpin verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
15 verified
Max depth (m)
137 verified
Natural range
Europe: Russia, 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

Same genus Artediellus

More from the family Cottidae

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