Scientific Name
Cottus rhotheus

Common Name
Torrent sculpin

Biology
Inhabits rubble and gravel riffles of rivers and rocky lake shores. Individuals up to 5 cm feed on planktonic crustaceans and aquatic insect larvae especially that of midges and mayflies (Ref. 1998). Larger sculpins feed on minnows and other fishes (Ref. 1998). Possibly spawns in June (Ref. 1998).

Classification

Classified By

Smith, 1882

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Sculpins (Cottidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: upper Fraser River drainage in British Columbia in Canada to Nehalem River in Oregon, USA (including Columbia River drainage of British Columbia in Canada, and Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon in the USA).

Range

52°N - 42°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

3.37 s.e. 0.45 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

15.5 cm

Common Length

6.8 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

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=448)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated