Bigmouth sculpin
📖 Overview
Bigmouth sculpin (Hemitripterus bolini), first described by Myers, 1934 is a large fish in the family Hemitripteridae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 73.00 cm in maximum length. Reported lifespan reaches approximately 23 years. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 25 to 925 metres. It occurs in Temperate waters. Diet is predominantly piscivorous, targeting other fish and larger prey. The species is valued as a game and sport species.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 13. Caudal fin rounded . Color mottled gray or brown above, paler below; four or five vague darker saddles across back; two tan stripes across head; red below anterior part of spinous dorsal; mottled red brown on membranes of spinous dorsal fin, lighter between fifth and eighth spines; chestnut brown on rayed dorsal with pale gray marbling; on pectorals alternating bands of yellow brown, light gray, and dark brown; light gray with fine black speckling and orange patches on anal fin; on caudal fin dark reddish brown with fine vertical stripes of gray brown .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Bigmouth sculpin is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 25 - 925 m , usually 200 - 300 m . Temperate North Pacific: Bering Sea to the Aleutian chain and Eureka, California, USA.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemitripterus boline | Myers | 1934 | Synonym |
| Hemitripterus marmoratus | Bean | 1890 | Heterotypic |
| Ucla bolini | Myers | 1934 | Synonym |
| Ulca bolini | Myers | 1934 | Synonym |
| Ulca marmorata | Bean | 1890 | Heterotypic |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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