Great sculpin
📖 Overview
Occurs in the intertidal area and to 244 m depth, on sand and mud bottoms . Feeds on small fishes . Often caught near shore .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9 - 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 16; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 11 - 13. Caudal fin slightly rounded . Color deep olive on dorsal surface with 4 dark saddles across back; ventral surface pale; brown bars running downward on relaxed unpaired and paired pectoral fins .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Great sculpin is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Great sculpin is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; amphidromous ; depth range 0 - 775 m . Temperate; 66°N - 42°N, 144°E - 124°W North Pacific: Hokkaido, Japan and Kamchatka, Russia through the Aleutian Islands to the Bering Sea coast of Alaska and Puget Sound, Washington, USA.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Great sculpin is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Great sculpin is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Great sculpin has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | great sculpin |
| 🌍CES | vranka mnohotrnná |
| 🇫🇷French | grand chaboisseau |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Togekajika · トゲカジカ |
| 🇰🇷Korean | 살꺽정이 |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Kur wielkoglowy |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Многоиглый керчак |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ainocottus ensiger | Jordan & Starks | 1904 | Synonym |
| Cottus polyacanthocephalus | Pallas | 1814 | Synonym |
| Myoxocephalus ensiger | Jordan & Starks | 1904 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 9 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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