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Leister sculpin (Enophrys lucasi) — Cottidae

Leister sculpin

Enophrys lucasi
Family: Cottidae

The Leister sculpin (Enophrys lucasi) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 20 cm.

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

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Description

The leister sculpin is a sculpin (Cottidae) from cold coastal waters of the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a stocky, brown-mottled body with a large, bony head and strong spines on the gill cover. As a bottom-dweller it lives among rocks and on gravelly bottoms of shallow coastal water and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Leister sculpin?

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

Where does the Leister sculpin live?

The Leister sculpin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Canada, Russia, Alaska

How big does the Leister sculpin get?

The Leister sculpin grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Leister sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Leister 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

Leister sculpin (Enophrys lucasi) — Cottidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Madison Reynolds, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Leister sculpin (Enophrys lucasi) — Cottidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Kim Nesbitt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Leister sculpin (Enophrys lucasi) — Cottidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Kim Nesbitt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Leister sculpin (Enophrys lucasi) — Cottidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Madison Reynolds, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Leister sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Enophrys lucasi
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Leister sculpin verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: Canada, Russia, 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
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 Enophrys

More from the family Cottidae

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