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Reticulate sculpin (Cottus perplexus) — Cottidae

Reticulate sculpin

Cottus perplexus
Family: Cottidae

The Reticulate sculpin (Cottus perplexus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The Reticulate sculpin is a freshwater sculpin (Cottidae) from the northwestern United States. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky body with a large, broad head, no scales and broad pectoral fins. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among stones and gravel of clear, cool streams and hunts insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Reticulate sculpin?

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

Where does the Reticulate sculpin live?

The Reticulate sculpin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: USA

How big does the Reticulate sculpin get?

The Reticulate sculpin grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Reticulate sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Reticulate 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

Reticulate sculpin (Cottus perplexus) — Cottidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Keith Brady, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Reticulate sculpin (Cottus perplexus) — Cottidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Marshall McDonald (Public domain)
Reticulate sculpin (Cottus perplexus) — Cottidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Bradley Rasmussen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Reticulate sculpin (Cottus perplexus) — Cottidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) rc6750, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Reticulate sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Cottus perplexus
Family
Cottidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: USA 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 Cottus

More from the family Cottidae

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