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Cabezon (Leptocottus armatus) — Cottidae

Cabezon

Leptocottus armatus
Family: Cottidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cabezon (Leptocottus armatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–156.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Pacific staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus) is a sculpin of the family Cottidae from the northeastern Pacific. The species has an elongate, scaleless body with a large head and owes its name to a conspicuous, antler-like branched spine on the gill cover. It is common in bays and estuaries, usually on sandy bottoms, and tolerates strongly varying salinities; when stranded it can breathe air for a short time. Young fish sometimes move into completely fresh water. The diet consists of crustaceans, worms and small fishes. The fish reaches about 46 cm.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cabezon?

The Cabezon has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Cabezon live?

The Cabezon lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Cabezon get?

The Cabezon grows to a maximum of about 46 cm. On average the species is around 36 cm.

Is the Cabezon dangerous to humans?

No, the Cabezon is harmless to humans.

Is the Cabezon edible?

Yes, the Cabezon is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pacifische gewei-donderpad sourced
English name
Cabezon verified
Scientific name
Leptocottus armatus
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Pacific staghorn sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
156.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
10.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cottidae

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