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Pine sculpin (Ricuzenius pinetorum) — Cottidae

Pine sculpin

Ricuzenius pinetorum
Family: Cottidae

The Pine sculpin (Ricuzenius pinetorum) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
147.0–183.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The pine sculpin is a small sculpin (Cottidae) from coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, off Japan and nearby. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky body with a broad, spiny head, large pectoral fins and a scaleless, brown-mottled skin. As a bottom-dweller it perches among stones and weed of cool rocky bottoms and snaps at small crustaceans and other benthic life. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pine sculpin?

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

Where does the Pine sculpin live?

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

How big does the Pine sculpin get?

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

Is the Pine sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Pine sculpin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Japanse donderpad sourced
English name
Pine sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Ricuzenius pinetorum
Family
Cottidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
147.0 verified
Max depth (m)
183.0 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

More from the family Cottidae

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