Shorthorn sculpin
📖 Overview
Found on rocky bottoms with sand or mud, or among seaweeds . Benthic . Feeds on fishes, large crustaceans, occasionally polychaetes and amphipods . During the spawning season, the male's underside becomes deep red with white spots.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 19; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9 - 15; Vertebrae: 34 - 39. Caudal fin rounded. Greenish brown above, often with dark blotches and bright milky-white spots above pectoral fins; underside cherry red (males) or light orange (females) with white spots; fins with dark bands .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Shorthorn sculpin is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Eggs are deposited in a clutch on the bottom and defended by the male. Larvae hatch after about 5 weeks.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 0 - 451 m . Polar; 80°N - 40°N, 95°W - 60°E North Sea, Baltic Sea, Spitsbergen and southern part of Barents Sea (including White Sea).
🌿 Ecology
fishes, large crustaceans, occasionally polychaetes and amphipods (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Shorthorn 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
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.9 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 635 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Shorthorn 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
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acanthocottus scorpius | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Cottus groenlandicus | Cuvier | 1829 | Synonym |
| Cottus scorpius | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Cottus verrucosus | Bean | 1881 | Synonym |
| Myoxocephalus scorpius groenlandicus | Cuvier | 1829 | Synonym |
| Myoxocephalus scorpius scorpius | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Myoxocephalus verrucosus | Bean | 1881 | Synonym |
| Myxocephalus scorpius | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 253 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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