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Mote sculpin (Normanichthys crockeri) — Normanichthyidae

Mote sculpin

Normanichthys crockeri

The Mote sculpin (Normanichthys crockeri) is a saltwater fish of the family Normanichthyidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeast Pacific, along Peru and Chile.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The mote sculpin is a small fish and the only species of the family Normanichthyidae from the southeastern Pacific, along the coast of Peru and Chile. The species reaches about 11 cm and has a slender, silvery body covered with fine scales, unusual for sculpin-like fishes. It lives in the cold, productive Humboldt Current and forms large schools. The diet consists of zooplankton. The species is an important prey in the coastal food web and is regularly caught in pelagic fisheries.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mote sculpin?

The Mote sculpin has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Small schooling fish of the cold Humboldt Current; important prey in the coastal food web.

Where does the Mote sculpin live?

The Mote sculpin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southeast Pacific, along Peru and Chile.

How big does the Mote sculpin get?

The Mote sculpin grows to a maximum of about 11 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Mote sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Mote sculpin is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Mote sculpin edible?

Yes, the Mote sculpin is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Mote sculpin verified
Scientific name
Normanichthys crockeri
Family
Normanichthyidae
Other names
Mote sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Average length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Southeast Pacific, along Peru and Chile. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Small schooling fish of the cold Humboldt Current; important prey in the coastal food web. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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