Blue Ridge sculpin (Cottus caeruleomentum) fish species and information / pictures of Blue Ridge sculpin - Cottus caeruleomentum

Blue Ridge sculpin (Cottus caeruleomentum) fish species information

Scientific Name
Cottus caeruleomentum

Common Name
Blue Ridge sculpin

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-19; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 14. Two-spotted first dorsal fin; chin uniformly pigmented; dossal saddles moderate to wide; incomplete lateral line; preopercular spines slight to moderate, palatine teeth weak to moderate, and postpectoral prickling slight to moderate. Distinguished from C. b. bairdi by caudal base band unnotched in at least one side versus both sides notched. Palatine tooth patch moderately developed.

Classification

Classified By
Kinziger, Raesly & Neely, 2000
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)
Family
Sculpins (Cottidae)

Distribution

Region
North America
Distribution
North America: Atlantic drainages including the Elk, Susquehanna, Bush, Patapsco, Patuxent, Potomac, Nanticoke, James and Roanoke.
Range
41°N - 36°N

Environment

Climate
Temperate
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Freshwater; demersal
Trophic Level
3.14 s.e. 0.44 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
6.3 cm
Common Length
Unknown cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Unknown
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (26 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated