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Belligerent sculpin (Megalocottus platycephalus) — Cottidae

Belligerent sculpin

Megalocottus platycephalus
Family: Cottidae

The Belligerent sculpin (Megalocottus platycephalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 42 cm.

Length
42 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–120.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The belligerent sculpin is a sculpin (Cottidae) from cold coastal and estuarine waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 42 cm and has a stocky, brown-mottled body with a large, flattened, bony head and strong spines on the gill cover. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and mud bottoms of shallow water and snaps at small fish, crustaceans and worms. It is a local food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Belligerent sculpin?

The Belligerent sculpin has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Belligerent sculpin live?

The Belligerent sculpin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Belligerent sculpin get?

The Belligerent sculpin grows to a maximum of about 42 cm.

Is the Belligerent sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Belligerent sculpin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Platkop-donderpad sourced
English name
Belligerent sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Megalocottus platycephalus
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Belligerent sculpin; Flathead sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
42.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
120.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Cottidae

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