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Padded sculpin (Artedius fenestralis) — Cottidae

Padded sculpin

Artedius fenestralis
Family: Cottidae

The Padded sculpin (Artedius fenestralis) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–55.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Pacific; intertidal zone to ~55 m.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The padded sculpin is a sculpin (Cottidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has a stocky body with a broad, flattened head, large pectoral fins and a mottled pattern that camouflages it against the bottom. It lives bottom-bound from the intertidal zone to about fifty-five metres depth, among stones and algae. As a bottom hunter it feeds on shrimps and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Padded sculpin?

The Padded sculpin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Broad, flattened head and marbled camouflage colouring; bottom-bound sculpin of rocky coasts.

Where does the Padded sculpin live?

The Padded sculpin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeast Pacific; intertidal zone to ~55 m.

How big does the Padded sculpin get?

The Padded sculpin grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Padded sculpin dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Padded sculpin edible?

The Padded sculpin is not usually eaten.

More photos

Padded sculpin (Artedius fenestralis) — Cottidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) TunaSimp, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Padded sculpin (Artedius fenestralis) — Cottidae — 3
TunaSimp (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Padded sculpin (Artedius fenestralis) — Cottidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/habitat/FishAtlas/speciespage.htm (Public domain)
Padded sculpin (Artedius fenestralis) — Cottidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Stickpen (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Padded sculpin verified
Scientific name
Artedius fenestralis
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Padded sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
55.0 verified
Natural range
Northeast Pacific; intertidal zone to ~55 m. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Shrimps and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary 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
Broad, flattened head and marbled camouflage colouring; bottom-bound sculpin of rocky coasts. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable 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

Same genus Artedius

More from the family Cottidae

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