Mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdii) fish species and information / pictures of Mottled sculpin - Cottus bairdii

Mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdii) fish species information

Scientific Name
Cottus bairdii

Common Name
Mottled sculpin

Biology
Adults occur in rubble and gravel riffles, less often in sand-gravel runs of headwaters, creeks and small rivers. Also found in springs and their effluents and rocky shores of lakes (Ref. 1998, 10294). Feed mainly on aquatic insect larvae, but also on crustaceans, annelids, fishes, fish eggs, and plant material (Ref. 1998, 10294). Spawn in the spring (Ref. 1998). A male guards the cluster of eggs laid by different females (Ref. 1998). Neither anterolateral glandular groove nor venom gland is present (Ref. 57406).

Classification

Classified By
Girard, 1850
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)
Family
Sculpins (Cottidae)

Distribution

Region
North America
Distribution
North America: widespread with highly disjunct distribution in Canada and USA. The former Blue Ridge race of the Atlantic slope of the Appalchian Mountains is now recognized as a distinct species Cottus caeruleomentum.
Range
59°N - 34°N

Environment

Climate
Temperate
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
16 m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Freshwater; demersal; depth range ? - 16 m (Ref. 1998)
Trophic Level
3.29 s.e. 0.46 Based on food items.
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
15.0 cm
Common Length
8.4 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 (33 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tmax=2)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated