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Plain sculpin (Myoxocephalus jaok) — Cottidae

Plain sculpin

Myoxocephalus jaok
Family: Cottidae

The Plain sculpin (Myoxocephalus jaok) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 74 cm.

Length
74 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–680.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The plain sculpin is a large sculpin (Cottidae) from cold, shallow rocky and sandy water of the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a robust, elongate, brown-marbled body with a very large, broad, spiny head and enormous fan-shaped pectoral fins. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it shelters among stones, weed and sand and seizes small fish, crustaceans and molluscs. It is locally a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Plain sculpin?

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

Where does the Plain sculpin live?

The Plain sculpin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Plain sculpin get?

The Plain sculpin grows to a maximum of about 74 cm.

Is the Plain sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Plain sculpin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Plomp-donderpad sourced
English name
Plain sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Myoxocephalus jaok
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Plain sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
74.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
680.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Myoxocephalus

More from the family Cottidae

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