Polar sculpin (Cottunculus microps)

Scientific name: Cottunculus microps Collett, 1875

The Polar sculpin (Cottunculus microps) is a marine fish of the family Psychrolutidae.

Biology

Four bony knobs between and behind the eyes. Skin very rough. Body with 3-4 broad, dark vertical bands.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Scientific name: Cottunculus microps
Family: Psychrolutidae (Fatheads)
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 30.0
Common length: 14.0
Depth range: 165–1342 m (541–4403 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 165 - 1342 m, usually 165 - 215 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: North Atlantic: English Channel, North Sea, Norwegian coastline, Svalbard, southwestern Barents Sea, off Spitzbergen, Bear Island, the Faeroes and Iceland, southeastern coasts of Greenland. Western Atlantic: New Jersey, USA to Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada and Greenland.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec = 66)

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026