Scientific Name
Leocottus kesslerii

Common Name
Kessler's sculpin

Biology
Occurs where the bottom is sand, sand-and-stone and sand-and-silt. Stays at a depth range of 3-15 m during the winter months. Spawns from mid May until the end of June, over sand and stone bottom, 3-5 m depth, as well as in shallow inlets and tributary mouths. Eggs are deposited under stones and are guarded by the male. Males are larger than females. (Ref. 2058).

Classification

Classified By

Dybowski, 1874

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Baikal oilfishes (Comephoridae)

Distribution

Region

Europe and Asia

Distribution

Europe and Asia: Lake Baikal and small lakes in its basins; lower Selenge, Angara and Baingol rivers.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Boreal

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

50 m

Depth To - meters

170 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; depth range 50 - 170 m (Ref. 2058), usually 50 - 70 m (Ref. 2058)

Trophic Level

3.22 s.e. 0.53 Based on diet studies.

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

14.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0020 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (37 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2; tmax=6; K=0.23)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated