Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus (Pallas, 1814)
Great sculpin
photo by Armstrong, S.

Family:  Cottidae (Sculpins)
Max. size:  80 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 9,000.0 g; max. reported age: 17 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 775 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  North Pacific: Hokkaido, Japan and Kamchatka, Russia through the Aleutian Islands to the Bering Sea coast of Alaska and Puget Sound, Washington, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-16; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 11-13. Caudal fin slightly rounded (Ref. 6885). Color deep olive on dorsal surface with 4 dark saddles across back; ventral surface pale; brown bars running downward on relaxed unpaired and paired pectoral fins (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  Occurs in the intertidal area and to 244 m depth, on sand and mud bottoms (Ref. 2850). Feeds on small fishes (Ref. 4925). Often caught near shore (Ref. 2850).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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