Knobfin sculpin

📖 Overview

Knobfin sculpin (Cottus immaculatus), first described by Kinziger & Wood, 2010 is a small fish in the family Cottidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 9.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Subtropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 19; Anal soft rays: 12 - 14. Distinguished from all other congeners, except Cottus hypselurus and Cottus caeruleomentum, by the blue chin and belly on spawning males. Differs from Cottus hypselurus by dorsal fin spines 8-9 (versus 6-7); pectoral fin rays 16-17 (versus 13-15); pigmentation of the ventral surface of the peritoneum weak (versus moderate to strong ); dorsal-fin union moderate to wide versus slight to moderate. Can be differentiated from Cottus caeruleomentum by caudal base band notched (versus non-notched); dorsal fins moderately to widely connected (versus slightly connected); pectoral fin rays 16-17 (versus 12-15); ventral surface of peritoneum weakly pigmented (versus moderately to strongly pigmented) .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Knobfin sculpin is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Subtropical North America: USA (Current, Eleven Point, Spring and White river systems of the White River drainage in the Ozark Highlands of Missouri and Arkansas).

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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