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Longfin sculpin (Jordania zonope) — Cottidae

Longfin sculpin

Jordania zonope
Family: Cottidae

The Longfin sculpin (Jordania zonope) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–38.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Canada, USA, Alaska
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The longfin sculpin is a sculpin (Cottidae) from coastal waters of the northeast Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a slender, elongate body with a very long dorsal fin, a pointed head and handsome red and green stripe markings on the cheeks. As a bottom-dweller it clings to rock walls and kelp of rocky reefs and snaps at small crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longfin sculpin?

The Longfin sculpin has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Longfin sculpin live?

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

How big does the Longfin sculpin get?

The Longfin sculpin grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Longfin sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Longfin 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 Longfin sculpin edible?

Yes, the Longfin sculpin is commonly eaten.

More photos

Longfin sculpin (Jordania zonope) — Cottidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Justin Chan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longfin sculpin (Jordania zonope) — Cottidae — 3
imcote (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Longfin sculpin (Jordania zonope) — Cottidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Joseph R. Tomelleri (Public domain)
Longfin sculpin (Jordania zonope) — Cottidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) mac-e, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Longfin sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Jordania zonope
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Longfin sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
38.0 verified
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
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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

More from the family Cottidae

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