| Family: |
Cottidae
(Sculpins)
|
|
| Order: |
Scorpaeniformes
|
| Class: |
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) |
| Max. size: |
39 in TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 31
lb |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine
; depth range 0 - 650 ft
|
| Climate: |
subtropical; 59°N - |
| Importance: |
fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: show aquarium |
Distribution:
|
Northeastern Pacific: Sitka, southeastern Alaska to Punta Abrejos, central Baja California, Mexico. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal
spines
(total): 8-12; Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 15-18; Anal
spines: 0-0; Anal
soft rays: 11-13; Vertebrae
: 35. Caudal barely rounded. |
| Biology: |
Inhabits rocky, sandy and muddy bottoms as well as kelp beds
. Adults and juveniles feed on crustaceans, fishes and mollusks . Commonly captured by sport fishers (from shore, boats or piers) and by scuba divers
. Flesh is good eating but eggs are poisonous and will make humans violently ill
. |
| Red List Status: |
Not in IUCN Red List
,
|
| Dangerous: |
Roe is poisonous, don't eat roe
|
