Home · Cottidae · Deepwater sculpin
Deepwater sculpin (Myoxocephalus thompsonii) — Cottidae

Deepwater sculpin

Myoxocephalus thompsonii
Family: Cottidae

The Deepwater sculpin (Myoxocephalus thompsonii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–366.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Deepwater sculpin is a sculpin (Cottidae) from cold, deep lakes of North America. The species grows to about 23 cm and has a stocky body with a large, broad head, no scales and broad pectoral fins. It lives on the bottom of deep, cold lakes. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among rocks, sand and weed and ambushes small crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepwater sculpin?

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

Where does the Deepwater sculpin live?

The Deepwater sculpin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Deepwater sculpin get?

The Deepwater sculpin grows to a maximum of about 23 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Deepwater sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepwater sculpin is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Diepwater-donderpad sourced
English name
Deepwater sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Myoxocephalus thompsonii
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Deepwater sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 verified
Average length (cm)
12.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
366.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
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 Myoxocephalus

More from the family Cottidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →