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Cottus microstomus Heckel, 1837 |
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photo by
Freyhof, J. |
| Family: | Cottidae (Sculpins) | |||
| Max. size: | 10.06 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish | |||
| Distribution: | Europe: Black Sea basin in Dniestr drainage. Southern Baltic basin in Odra and Vistula drainages, most likely extending further east to Gulf of Finland. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Anal soft rays: 11-14. Can be distinguished from other species of Cottus in Europe by possessing a shallow transverse groove in the snout between the anterior and posterior nares and the combination of the following characters: genital papilla lobular in males; depth of caudal peduncle 20-24% HL; length of caudal peduncle 41-64% HL; prickling on body extending backwards to caudal peduncle (reduced or sometimes absent in some populations); absence of distinct transverse bands on pelvic fin; predorsal length 32-37% SL; distance from tip of snout to origin of second dorsal fin 50-52% SL; dorsal head length 21-25% SL; unique molecular markers (Ref. 55856). | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits small streams to medium-sized rivers. Feeds on a wide variety of benthic invertebrates. Females spawn once a year (Ref. 59043). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 July 2023 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||