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Rosylip sculpin (Ascelichthys rhodorus) — Cottidae

Rosylip sculpin

Ascelichthys rhodorus
Family: Cottidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Rosylip sculpin (Ascelichthys rhodorus) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
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 rosylip sculpin is a small sculpin from the eastern Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky, brown body with conspicuously rosy lips and, unlike many sculpins, no pelvic fins. As a dweller of the intertidal zone it clings among rocks, weed and in tidal pools and can survive in moist crevices at low tide. It 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 Rosylip sculpin?

The Rosylip sculpin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Pinkish lips and no pelvic fins; sculpin that survives in the intertidal zone

Where does the Rosylip sculpin live?

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

How big does the Rosylip sculpin get?

The Rosylip sculpin grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Rosylip sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Rosylip 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 Rosylip sculpin edible?

The Rosylip sculpin is not usually eaten.

More photos

Rosylip sculpin (Ascelichthys rhodorus) — Cottidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Craig Bianchi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Rosylip sculpin (Ascelichthys rhodorus) — Cottidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Chloe and Trevor Van Loon (CC BY 4.0)
Rosylip sculpin (Ascelichthys rhodorus) — Cottidae — 4
eli gloor (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Rosylip sculpin (Ascelichthys rhodorus) — Cottidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) IHUNTA, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Rosylip sculpin verified
Scientific name
Ascelichthys rhodorus
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Rosylip sculpin verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
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
No sourced
Seasonality
Intertidal-zone rock sculpin; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Pinkish lips and no pelvic fins; sculpin that survives in the intertidal zone 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

More from the family Cottidae

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