Slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus)

Scientific name: Cottus cognatus Richardson, 1836

The Slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cottidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 4–16°C (39–61°F).

Slimy sculpin care at a glance

Temperature: 4–16°C (39–61°F)

Biology

Inhabits rocky riffles of cold streams, rocky areas of lakes (commonly at 90-106 m depth), springs and their effluents. Moves into shallow water to spawn. In some areas, they are common in brackish water, presumably moving to and from fresh water, at least for spawning. Feeds mostly on aquatic insect larvae and nymphs but also on crustaceans, small fishes, and plant materials. May be used as bait, but this seems rare.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Cottus cognatus
Family: Cottidae (Sculpins)
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 12.1
Common length: 7.5
Depth range: 6–128 m (20–420 ft)
Environment: Freshwater; brackish; demersal; depth range 6 - 128 m
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: North America: throughout most of mainland Canada and Alaska; Atlantic Slope drainages south to Potomac River in Virginia, USA; St. Lawrence-Great Lakes basin; upper Mississippi River basin in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, USA; upper Columbia River drainage in Canada and USA. Also in Siberia, Russia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2-4; tmax=7; Fec=42-1,420)