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Manacled sculpin (Synchirus gilli) — Cottidae

Manacled sculpin

Synchirus gilli
Family: Cottidae

The Manacled sculpin (Synchirus gilli) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 7 cm.

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

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Description

The manacled sculpin is a small sculpin (Cottidae) from coastal waters of the northeast Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, green-brown body with large pectoral fins that are joined to each other under the throat, from which it takes its name. As a dweller of kelp forests and weed beds it clings to fronds and snaps at tiny crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Manacled sculpin?

The Manacled sculpin has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Manacled sculpin live?

The Manacled 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 Manacled sculpin get?

The Manacled sculpin grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Manacled sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Manacled 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

Manacled sculpin (Synchirus gilli) — Cottidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Liam Ragan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Manacled sculpin (Synchirus gilli) — Cottidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Olivia Cornies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Manacled sculpin (Synchirus gilli) — Cottidae — 4
eli gloor (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Manacled sculpin (Synchirus gilli) — Cottidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Finn McGhee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Manacled sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Synchirus gilli
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Manacled sculpin verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
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

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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