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Brightbelly sculpin (Microcottus sellaris) — Cottidae

Brightbelly sculpin

Microcottus sellaris
Family: Cottidae

The Brightbelly sculpin (Microcottus sellaris) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The brightbelly sculpin is a sculpin (Cottidae) from cold coastal waters of the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a stocky body with a large, broad head, no scales and broad pectoral fins; the belly can brighten conspicuously in the breeding season. As a bottom-dweller it lives in tidal zones and shallow coastal water and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brightbelly sculpin?

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

Where does the Brightbelly sculpin live?

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

How big does the Brightbelly sculpin get?

The Brightbelly sculpin grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Brightbelly sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Brightbelly sculpin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Helderbuik-donderpad sourced
English name
Brightbelly sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Microcottus sellaris
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Brightbelly sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 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)
60.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cottidae

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