Slimy sculpin

📖 Overview

Adults inhabit rocky riffles of cold streams, rocky areas of lakes (commonly at 90-106 m depth), springs and their effluents . They move into shallow water to spawn . In some areas, they are common in brackish water , presumably moving to and from fresh water, at least for spawning . They feed mostly on aquatic insect larvae and nymphs but also on crustaceans, small fishes, and plant materials . May be used as bait, but this seems rare .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 19; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 14; Vertebrae: 31 - 35. Distinguished by the two pores on the chin and the short lateral line ending under the second dorsal fin . Gill rakers short and stubby, about 6 on first gill arch; lateral line incomplete, ending under middle of soft dorsal fin and usually having a few isolated pores behind this point; main portion with 12 to 26 pores . Pectorals large and fan-shaped, tips of lower rays projecting; fourth ray of pelvic much reduced; caudal rounded . Rather dark brown or green to dark gray on back and sides, whitish below, with vague, dark mottlings or bars below soft dorsal; belly sometimes with orange tints; soft dorsal, pectoral and caudal fins usually barred, pelvic fins and anal usually immaculate but sometimes barred; spiny dorsal dark at base, with a clear margin that may turn orange in breeding males; breeding males usually dark, sometimes black, all over .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Slimy sculpin is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

The male chooses a nesting site under a rock or ledge. Spawning males are territorial toward other males . He attracts a female into the nesting site and after more courting the female deposits her adhesive eggs. The female is then driven out and the male guards the eggs until hatching occurs. The nest usually contains eggs from several females . The male has also been observed to guard the young .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; demersal; non-migratory ; depth range 6 - 128 m . Temperate; 4°C - 16°C ; 71°N - 37°N North America: throughout most of mainland Canada and Alaska; Atlantic Slope drainages south to Potomac River in Virginia, USA; St.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Slimy sculpin is an edible species."

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Slimy sculpin is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Slimy sculpin has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

📊 Population Dynamics

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language	Common Names
🇬🇧English	Anadyr sculpin · Bear Lake bullhead · Cockatouch · Common slimy muddler · Miller's thumb · Slimy muddler · Slimy sculpin · Western slimy sculpin · Northern Sculpin · Stargazer
🌍CES	vranka slizká
🇩🇰Danish	Slimet ulk
🇩🇪German	Schleimige Groppe
🇫🇷French	chabot visqueux
🌍IKU	Kanaiyok
🇷🇺Russian	Слизистый подкаменщик
🇨🇳Chinese	卡岡杜父魚 · 薄杜父魚

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name	Author	Year	Status
Cottus boleoides	Girard	1850	Synonym
Cottus chamberlaini	Evermann & Goldsborough	1907	Synonym
Cottus cognatus cognatus	-	-	Synonym
Cottus formosus	Girard	1851	Synonym
Cottus franklini	Agassiz	1850	Synonym
Cottus gracilis	Heckel	1837	Synonym
Cottus kaganowskii	Berg	1932	Synonym
Cottus philonips	Eigenmann & Eigenmann	1892	Synonym
Uranidea boleoides	Girard	1850	Synonym
Uranidea formosa	Girard	1851	Synonym
Uranidea franklini	Agassiz	1850	Synonym
Uranidea gracilis	Heckel	1837	Synonym
Uranidea hoyi	Putnam	1876	Synonym
Uranidea quiescens	DeKay	1842	Synonym

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 78 records indexed .

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