|
Myoxocephalus scorpioides (Fabricius, 1780) Arctic sculpin |
|
|
photo by
Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish. |
| Family: | Cottidae (Sculpins) | |||
| Max. size: | 22 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 280 m | |||
| Distribution: | Arctic: to James Bay and Straits of Belle Isle in Canada and Greenland. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 8-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-17; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 11-13. Caudal fin rounded. Upper parts blackish-brown (paler in females), flanks with dark cross-bands (fainter in males, which have dark bordered white or silvery irregular spots under pectoral fins and above anal fin); breast and belly with dark spots in males and broad white band on reddish orange from pelvic base to anus; lower lip spotted in males (dark in females); pelvic fins with 2-3 dark cross-bands; pectoral rays blackish-brown in males, the membrane with 4-5 transverse rows of translucent spots (some light bands in females); white blotches or stripes on dorsal and anal fins (Ref. 4698). | |||
| Biology: | Found on rocky bottoms among algae (Ref. 4698). Benthic (Ref. 58426). Feeds on small benthic amphipods (Ref. 4698). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 November 2023 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||