Shorthorn Sculpin: Myoxocephalus scorpius (Linnaeus, 1758)
The most abundant and widespread arctic sculpin
Size
- To 90 cm (3 ft)
Color & Characteristics
- Spiny, plate-like scales above the body lateral line
- Four dark, irregularly shaped saddles without distinct darker edges
- Primary and secondary postocular and occipital protuberances (behind eye and on top of head) present in various combinations and weakly to well developed
Habitat
- Arctic-subarctic
- Benthic, from shoal waters to depth of 550 m (1,804 ft), typically < 100 m in the Arctic
- On various substrates from muddy to rocky and smooth or vegetated
Feeding
- Feeds mainly on fishes (e.g., cods, flounders, smelts) and large crustaceans (e.g., Sclerocrangon, Hyas), occasionally polychaetes and amphipods
- Semi-sedentary fish, lies in wait for prey
Life cycle
- Spawns late fall to early spring
- Eggs demersal, laid in clumps between rocks and guarded by males
- Larvae and young juveniles pelagic
Page Authors: Kitty and Tony Mecklenburg
Created: Feb 12, 2009
