Thornback sculpin (Paricelinus hopliticus)

Scientific name: Paricelinus hopliticus Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889

The Thornback sculpin (Paricelinus hopliticus) is a marine fish of the family Cottidae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, Hecate Strait, northern British Columbia to northwest of Cortez Bank, southern California, USA.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 23. Caudal fin almost truncate.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Paricelinus hopliticus
Family: Cottidae (Sculpins)
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 20.0
Depth range: 183 m (600 ft)
Environment: Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 183 m, usually 76 - ? m
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Eastern Pacific: Hecate Strait, northern British Columbia to northwest of Cortez Bank, southern California, USA.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026