Arctic sculpin

📖 Overview

Arctic sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpioides), first described by Fabricius, 1780 is a medium-sized fish in the family Cottidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 22.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 0 to 280 metres. It occurs in Polar 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): 8 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 17; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 11 - 13. Caudal fin rounded. Upper parts blackish-brown (paler in females), flanks with dark cross-bands (fainter in males, which have dark bordered white or silvery irregular spots under pectoral fins and above anal fin); breast and belly with dark spots in males and broad white band on reddish orange from pelvic base to anus; lower lip spotted in males (dark in females); pelvic fins with 2-3 dark cross-bands; pectoral rays blackish-brown in males, the membrane with 4-5 transverse rows of translucent spots (some light bands in females); white blotches or stripes on dorsal and anal fins .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Arctic sculpin is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 0 - 280 m . Polar; 83°N - 49°N, 142°E - 45°W

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 7 records indexed .

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