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Slender sculpin (Cottus tenuis) — Cottidae

Slender sculpin

Cottus tenuis
Family: Cottidae

The Slender sculpin (Cottus tenuis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The slender sculpin is a freshwater sculpin (Cottidae) from the Klamath basin in Oregon and California, in the western United States. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender body with a fairly large, spiny head, large pectoral fins and a scaleless, brown-mottled skin. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among stones and plants of clear lakes and streams and snaps at insect larvae and small crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender sculpin?

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

Where does the Slender sculpin live?

The Slender sculpin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: USA

How big does the Slender sculpin get?

The Slender sculpin grows to a maximum of about 9 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Slender sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender 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

Slender sculpin (Cottus tenuis) — Cottidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Bradley Rasmussen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slender sculpin (Cottus tenuis) — Cottidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Yinan Li, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slender sculpin (Cottus tenuis) — Cottidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Yinan Li, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slender sculpin (Cottus tenuis) — Cottidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Curtis Mahon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Slender sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Cottus tenuis
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Slender sculpin verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
North America: USA 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 Cottus

More from the family Cottidae

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