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Blue Ridge sculpin (Cottus caeruleomentum) — Cottidae

Blue Ridge sculpin

Cottus caeruleomentum
Family: Cottidae

The Blue Ridge sculpin (Cottus caeruleomentum) is a freshwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The Blue Ridge sculpin is a freshwater sculpin (Cottidae) from the eastern United States. The species grows to about 6 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 Blue Ridge sculpin?

The Blue Ridge sculpin has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Blue Ridge sculpin live?

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

How big does the Blue Ridge sculpin get?

The Blue Ridge sculpin grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Blue Ridge sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue Ridge 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

Blue Ridge sculpin (Cottus caeruleomentum) — Cottidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Emilio Concari, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue Ridge sculpin (Cottus caeruleomentum) — Cottidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) kary, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue Ridge sculpin (Cottus caeruleomentum) — Cottidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Tom Field, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Blue Ridge sculpin (Cottus caeruleomentum) — Cottidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Brian Gratwicke (CC BY 2.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue Ridge sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Cottus caeruleomentum
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Blue Ridge sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.3 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

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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