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Berg's bullhead sculpin (Taurocottus bergii) — Cottidae

Berg's bullhead sculpin

Taurocottus bergii
Family: Cottidae

The Berg's bullhead sculpin (Taurocottus bergii) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
40.0–120.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The berg's bullhead sculpin is a small, stocky cold-water sculpin of the family Cottidae reaching about 20 cm. Characteristic are the large, broad head with spines and the broad, fan-shaped pectoral fins with which the fish presses against the bottom; the brown-mottled, partly scaleless body blends well against stones and gravel. The species is adapted to cold water and lives on stone and gravel bottoms of the cold northern Pacific. As an ambush predator it seizes small crustaceans and worms from the bottom. The male guards the clutch laid on stones until it hatches. Because of its small size and remote habitat it is rarely seen and has no fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Berg's bullhead sculpin?

The Berg's bullhead sculpin has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Berg's bullhead sculpin live?

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

How big does the Berg's bullhead sculpin get?

The Berg's bullhead sculpin grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Berg's bullhead sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Berg's bullhead sculpin is harmless to humans.

Is the Berg's bullhead sculpin edible?

The Berg's bullhead sculpin is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bergs stierdonderpad inferred
English name
Berg's bullhead sculpin inferred
Scientific name
Taurocottus bergii
Family
Cottidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20 verified
Body shape
Irregular verified
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Stone or rock verified
Min depth (m)
40.0 verified
Max depth (m)
120.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
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

More from the family Cottidae

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