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Snubnose sculpin (Orthonopias triacis) — Cottidae

Snubnose sculpin

Orthonopias triacis
Family: Cottidae

The Snubnose sculpin (Orthonopias triacis) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico, USA

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Description

The snubnose sculpin is a small sculpin (Cottidae) from coastal waters of the eastern Pacific, off California. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky, red-brown mottled body with a short, blunt snout. As a bottom-dweller it lives among rocks, tide pools and kelp of shallow coastal water and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Snubnose sculpin?

The Snubnose sculpin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Snubnose sculpin live?

The Snubnose sculpin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Mexico, USA

How big does the Snubnose sculpin get?

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

Is the Snubnose sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Snubnose 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

Snubnose sculpin (Orthonopias triacis) — Cottidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Zach Fratello, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Snubnose sculpin (Orthonopias triacis) — Cottidae — 3
Vince Golder (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Snubnose sculpin (Orthonopias triacis) — Cottidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Chad King (SIMoN / MBNMS) (Public domain)
Snubnose sculpin (Orthonopias triacis) — Cottidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) gwendon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Snubnose sculpin sourced
Scientific name
Orthonopias triacis
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Snubnose sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: Mexico, 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

More from the family Cottidae

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