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Plumose sculpin (Artedius harringtoni) — Cottidae

Plumose sculpin

Artedius harringtoni
Family: Cottidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Plumose sculpin (Artedius harringtoni) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–21.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The scalyhead sculpin is a small sculpin from the eastern Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky body with a large head and conspicuous, feathery skin appendages (cirri) above the eyes and on the nape. As a bottom-dweller it rests on rocks and among weed in shallow coastal water and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Plumose sculpin?

The Plumose sculpin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Feathered skin appendages above the eyes; rock-dwelling sculpin

Where does the Plumose sculpin live?

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

How big does the Plumose sculpin get?

The Plumose sculpin grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Plumose sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Plumose 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.

Is the Plumose sculpin edible?

The Plumose sculpin is not usually eaten.

More photos

Plumose sculpin (Artedius harringtoni) — Cottidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Dominick Porcelli, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Plumose sculpin (Artedius harringtoni) — Cottidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Zach Fratello, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Plumose sculpin (Artedius harringtoni) — Cottidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Erin McKittrick, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Plumose sculpin (Artedius harringtoni) — Cottidae — 5
eli gloor (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Plumose sculpin verified
Scientific name
Artedius harringtoni
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Scalyhead sculpin verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
21.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and worms inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Rock-dwelling coastal sculpin; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Feathered skin appendages above the eyes; rock-dwelling sculpin 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
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

Same genus Artedius

More from the family Cottidae

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