Home · Cottidae · Moustache sculpin
Moustache sculpin (Triglops murrayi) — Cottidae

Moustache sculpin

Triglops murrayi
Family: Cottidae
LC · Least Concern

The Moustache sculpin (Triglops murrayi) is a saltwater fish of the family Cottidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
7.0–530.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The moustache sculpin is a slender bottom fish of the family Cottidae (sculpins) reaching about 20 cm. Unlike most sculpins it has a fairly elongate body with a pointed snout; characteristic are the oblique, ribbed skin folds on the underside. The colour is brownish mottled with a silvery sheen, good camouflage on the bottom. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf on both sides of the northern Atlantic, in cold water to several hundred metres. It is a bottom-dweller that hunts small crustaceans, worms and other bottom animals. Because of its small size it has no fishery importance, but it is prey for larger fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Moustache sculpin?

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

Where does the Moustache sculpin live?

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

How big does the Moustache sculpin get?

The Moustache sculpin grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Moustache sculpin dangerous to humans?

No, the Moustache sculpin is harmless to humans.

Is the Moustache sculpin edible?

The Moustache sculpin is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Snor-donderpad inferred
English name
Moustache sculpin verified
Scientific name
Triglops murrayi
Family
Cottidae
Other names
Moustache sculpin verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
7.0 verified
Max depth (m)
530.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Triglops

More from the family Cottidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →