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Atlantic hookear (Artediellus atlanticus) — Cottidae

Atlantic hookear

Artediellus atlanticus
Family: Cottidae

The Atlantic hookear (Artediellus atlanticus) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
35.0–900.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Cold North Atlantic and adjacent seas.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Atlantic hookear sculpin is a small sculpin (family Cottidae) of the cold northern Atlantic. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a large head with a curved, hook-shaped spine on the gill cover, from which it takes its name. It lives on sandy and muddy bottoms of deeper, icy waters at temperatures near freezing. As a bottom hunter it feeds on polychaete worms, small molluscs and rarely small crustaceans. The species has no commercial value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Atlantic hookear?

The Atlantic hookear has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Curved, hook-shaped spine on the operculum; lives in very cold water.

Where does the Atlantic hookear live?

The Atlantic hookear lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Cold North Atlantic and adjacent seas.

How big does the Atlantic hookear get?

The Atlantic hookear grows to a maximum of about 15 cm. On average the species is around 11 cm.

Is the Atlantic hookear dangerous to humans?

No, the Atlantic hookear 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.

Is the Atlantic hookear edible?

The Atlantic hookear is not usually eaten.

More photos

Atlantic hookear (Artediellus atlanticus) — Cottidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Julien Savoie, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Atlantic hookear (Artediellus atlanticus) — Cottidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jean-François Rousseau, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Easily confused with

These species look like the Atlantic hookear and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Atlantic hookear verified
Scientific name
Artediellus atlanticus
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Atlantic hookear sculpin; Hookhorn sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin 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)
35.0 verified
Max depth (m)
900.0 verified
Natural range
Cold North Atlantic and adjacent seas. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Polychaetes, small molluscs and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Females lay relatively large eggs in the cold months. inferred
Special features
Curved, hook-shaped spine on the operculum; lives in very cold water. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Artediellus

More from the family Cottidae

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