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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
Range
North America: Canada, Mexico, USA, Alaska

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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. North America: Canada, Mexico, USA, Alaska

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. 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.

More photos

Saddleback sculpin (Oligocottus rimensis) — Cottidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Zach Fratello, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Saddleback sculpin (Oligocottus rimensis) — Cottidae — 3
Adam Ross (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Saddleback sculpin (Oligocottus rimensis) — Cottidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sophie Cameron, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Saddleback sculpin (Oligocottus rimensis) — Cottidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Alex Heyman (CC0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Saddleback sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Oligocottus rimensis
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Saddleback sculpin; Prickly 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
Natural range
North America: Canada, Mexico, USA, Alaska sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Oligocottus

More from the family Cottidae

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