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Coralline sculpin (Artedius corallinus) — Cottidae

Coralline sculpin

Artedius corallinus
Family: Cottidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Coralline sculpin (Artedius corallinus) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–21.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The coralline sculpin is a small sculpin from the eastern Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 14 cm and has a stocky body with a large head and a variable, red-brown to greenish colour that lets it blend in among coralline crusts and rocks. As an ambush hunter it rests in tidal pools and on shallow rocky bottoms and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Coralline sculpin?

The Coralline sculpin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a marbled pattern. Variable camouflage among crustose algae; ambush-hunting rock sculpin

Where does the Coralline sculpin live?

The Coralline sculpin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific

How big does the Coralline sculpin get?

The Coralline sculpin grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Coralline sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Coralline 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.

Is the Coralline sculpin edible?

The Coralline sculpin is not usually eaten.

More photos

Coralline sculpin (Artedius corallinus) — Cottidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) brysonz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Coralline sculpin (Artedius corallinus) — Cottidae — 3
bclarin (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Coralline sculpin (Artedius corallinus) — Cottidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Chad King (SIMoN / MBNMS) (Public domain)
Coralline sculpin (Artedius corallinus) — Cottidae — 5
Mary Wholey (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Coralline sculpin verified
Scientific name
Artedius corallinus
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Coralline sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
21.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and worms inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Intertidal-zone rock sculpin; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Variable camouflage among crustose algae; ambush-hunting rock sculpin 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 Artedius

More from the family Cottidae

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