Alpine bullhead

📖 Overview

Inhabits northern, and mountain and foothill streams, and oligotrophic lakes. Found in fast-flowing waters of coastal streams, rivers, inland lakes, usually on stony bottoms . Moves downstream to estuaries and tolerates brackish waters . Feeds on algae (diatoms, desmids, blue-green algae), polychaetes, crustaceans, aquatic insect larvae and nymphs (Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Plecoptera, Chironomidae), fish eggs and larvae.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Anal soft rays: 13 - 15. Differs from all other species of Cottus in Europe by possessing spatulate prickles; pelvic-fin rays tessellated, with 5-15 distinct rows of spot, appearing as transverse bands; and 2 chin pores. Additional characters useful in the identification of this species include: lateral line clearly above midline of body (shared only with C. koshewnikowi); lateral line clearly above midline of body; lateral line incomplete, usually reaching to anal-fin base; and prickling restricted to body under pectoral fin .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Alpine bullhead is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Alpine bullhead is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Females spawn onces a season. Most individuals spawn 2-3 seasons. They lay adhesive eggs in a compact clutch on ceiling of small cavities in gravel or rock bottom. Males guard eggs until hatching. males may guard egg clutches of several females..

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; demersal; depth range 0 - 15 m . Temperate; 72°N - 36°N, 10°E - 171°E central Finnish lakes area, a few streams in southern Finland and northern Poland, Lake Ladoga and southern Lake Onega basins, a few lakes in northern Germany (extirpated), Lake Hañcza in Poland and Skjernaa drainage in Denmark.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

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