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Slender sculpin (Cottus tenuis) — Cottidae

Slender sculpin

Cottus tenuis
Family: Cottidae

The Slender sculpin (Cottus tenuis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The slender sculpin is a freshwater sculpin (Cottidae) from the Klamath basin in Oregon and California, in the western United States. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender body with a fairly large, spiny head, large pectoral fins and a scaleless, brown-mottled skin. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among stones and plants of clear lakes and streams and snaps at insect larvae and small crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender sculpin?

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

Where does the Slender sculpin live?

The Slender sculpin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Slender sculpin get?

The Slender sculpin grows to a maximum of about 9 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Slender sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender sculpin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slanke donderpad sourced
English name
Slender sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Cottus tenuis
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Slender sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Average length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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