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Nozawa's sculpin (Cottus nozawae) — Cottidae

Nozawa's sculpin

Cottus nozawae
Family: Cottidae
LC · Least Concern

The Nozawa's sculpin (Cottus nozawae) is a freshwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Nozawa's sculpin is a small freshwater sculpin of the family Cottidae from Japan. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a stocky body with a broad, flattened head, a large mouth and no scales. It inhabits the middle and upper reaches of rivers with clear, cool, flowing water and a rocky bottom. As a small bottom predator it often lies motionless among the stones and seizes insect larvae, small crustaceans and small fishes. Sculpins lack a swim bladder and move over the bottom in short hops. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Nozawa's sculpin?

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

Where does the Nozawa's sculpin live?

The Nozawa's sculpin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Nozawa's sculpin get?

The Nozawa's sculpin grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Nozawa's sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Nozawa's sculpin is harmless to humans.

Is the Nozawa's sculpin edible?

The Nozawa's sculpin is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Japanse rivierdonderpad sourced
English name
Nozawa's sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Cottus nozawae
Family
Cottidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled 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
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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