Shortmast sculpin

📖 Overview

Shortmast sculpin (Nautichthys robustus), first described by Peden, 1970 is a small fish in the family Nautichthyidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 8.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 0 to 73 metres. It occurs in Temperate waters. Diet is predominantly piscivorous, targeting other fish and larger prey.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19 - 21; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15. Spinous dorsal short with anterior spines longest; caudal slightly rounded; pectorals rounded, lower 8 rays exserted, middle rays lengthened reaching anal insertion; pelvic fins reaching anus . Color pale brown, lighter ventrally; dark band through eye; eye and cirrus black; dorsal fins speckled, with spinous fin darker; usually 4 dark saddles across back, and dark band at base of caudal fin; posterior edge of caudal darker . Recognizable by having a combination of gill membranes fused to isthmus, strong longitudinal depression in occiput, scales embedded in papillae covering body except in axilla, moderate-sized spinous dorsal, second dorsal with fewer than 22 rays, and a black band through eye .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Shortmast sculpin is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 73 m . Temperate North Pacific: Attu Island, Alaska to northern Washington, USA.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

👥 Community & Contribute