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Coastrange sculpin (Cottus aleuticus) — Cottidae

Coastrange sculpin

Cottus aleuticus
Family: Cottidae

The Coastrange sculpin (Cottus aleuticus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Cottidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Canada, USA, Alaska

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Description

The Coastrange sculpin is a freshwater sculpin (Cottidae) from the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 17 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 Coastrange sculpin?

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

Where does the Coastrange sculpin live?

The Coastrange sculpin lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Canada, USA, Alaska

How big does the Coastrange sculpin get?

The Coastrange sculpin grows to a maximum of about 17 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Coastrange sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Coastrange 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

Coastrange sculpin (Cottus aleuticus) — Cottidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Vince Golder, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Coastrange sculpin (Cottus aleuticus) — Cottidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Yinan Li, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Coastrange sculpin (Cottus aleuticus) — Cottidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Steven Esau, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Coastrange sculpin (Cottus aleuticus) — Cottidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Barton Warren Evermann / Edmund Lee Goldsborough (Public domain)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Coastrange sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Cottus aleuticus
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Coastrange sculpin; Aleutian sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Average length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: Canada, USA, Alaska 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
levensduur_max_jaar
8.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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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