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Saddleback sculpin (Oligocottus rimensis) — Cottidae

Saddleback sculpin

Oligocottus rimensis
Family: Cottidae

The Saddleback sculpin (Oligocottus rimensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The saddleback 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 6 cm and has a stocky, brown-marbled body with a few dark saddle blotches and a rough skin. As a bottom-dweller it lives in tide pools and weed beds of rocky shores and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Saddleback sculpin?

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

Where does the Saddleback sculpin live?

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

How big does the Saddleback sculpin get?

The Saddleback sculpin grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Saddleback sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Saddleback sculpin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zadel-donderpad sourced
English name
Saddleback sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Oligocottus rimensis
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Saddleback sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.4 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
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Oligocottus

More from the family Cottidae

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