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Bullhead (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) — Cottidae

Bullhead

Scorpaenichthys marmoratus
Family: Cottidae

The Bullhead (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 99 cm.

Length
99 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The cabezon is a large sculpin of the family Cottidae from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about one metre and has a robust, scaleless, mottled body with a broad head, a skin flap on the snout and fringes above the eyes. It inhabits rocky, sandy and muddy bottoms and kelp forests. As an ambush predator it feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, small fishes and fish eggs. The male guards the eggs laid on the rocks. The cabezon is a valued sport and food fish with tasty flesh, but the roe (eggs) is toxic to humans; do not eat the eggs.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bullhead?

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

Where does the Bullhead live?

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

How big does the Bullhead get?

The Bullhead grows to a maximum of about 99 cm.

Is the Bullhead dangerous to humans?

No, the Bullhead is harmless to humans.

Is the Bullhead edible?

Yes, the Bullhead is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cabezon sourced
English name
Bullhead verified
Scientific name
Scorpaenichthys marmoratus
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Cabezon; Cabezone verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
99.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 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
13.0 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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