Biology
provided by Arctic Ocean Biodiversity 2011
The most abundant and widespread arctic sculpin
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- Arctic Ocean Diversity
- author
- Kitty Mecklenburg
- author
- Tony Mecklenburg
Trophic Strategy
provided by Arctic Ocean Biodiversity 2011
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
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- Arctic Ocean Diversity
- author
- Kitty Mecklenburg
- author
- Tony Mecklenburg
Comprehensive Description
provided by Arctic Ocean Biodiversity 2011
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
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- Arctic Ocean Diversity
- author
- Kitty Mecklenburg
- author
- Tony Mecklenburg
Life Cycle
provided by Arctic Ocean Biodiversity 2011
Spawns late fall to early spring; Eggs demersal, laid in clumps between rocks and guarded by males; Larvae and young juveniles pelagic
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- Arctic Ocean Diversity
- author
- Kitty Mecklenburg
- author
- Tony Mecklenburg
Habitat
provided by Arctic Ocean Biodiversity 2011
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
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- Arctic Ocean Diversity
- author
- Kitty Mecklenburg
- author
- Tony Mecklenburg
Morphology
provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 19; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 9 - 15; Vertebrae: 34 - 39
- Recorder
- Cristina V. Garilao
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
Found on rocky bottoms with sand or mud, or among seaweeds (Ref. 4698). Benthic (Ref. 58426). Feeds on fishes, large crustaceans, occasionally polychaetes, amphipods and benthic invertebrates (Ref. 4698, 12224). Preyed upon by black guillemots. Parasites of the species include 2 protozoans, 2 myxosporidians, 6 trematodes, 1 cestode, 3 nematodes and 4 hirudinoideans (Ref. 5951).
Life Cycle
provided by Fishbase
Eggs are deposited in a clutch on the bottom and defended by the male. Larvae hatch after about 5 weeks.
Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
Caudal fin rounded. Greenish brown above, often with dark blotches and bright milky-white spots above pectoral fins; underside cherry red (males) or light orange (females) with white spots; fins with dark bands (Ref. 4698).
- Recorder
- Cristina V. Garilao
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Found on rocky bottoms with sand or mud, or among seaweeds (Ref. 4698). Benthic (Ref. 58426). Feeds on fishes, large crustaceans, occasionally polychaetes and amphipods (Ref. 4698). During the spawning season, the male's underside becomes deep red with white spots.
Importance
provided by Fishbase
aquarium: public aquariums
Myoxocephalus scorpius
provided by wikipedia EN
Myoxocephalus scorpius, typically known as the shorthorn sculpin or bull-rout, is a species of fish in the family Cottidae. It is a demersal species of the Northern Atlantic and adjacent subarctic and Arctic seas.[1][2][3] The species has many English names that are used less frequently or in small parts of its range, including Arctic sculpin, daddy sculpin, European sculpin, father-lasher, goat sculpin, Greenland sculpin, guffy, horny whore, pig-fish, scully, scummy, short-spined sea scorpion and warty sculpin.[4]
Appearance
It reaches maturity at 15–30 cm (6–12 in) in length and specimens from the Arctic and subarctic, which grow to the largest size, can reach up to 60 cm (24 in). The fish has a squat appearance, a large spiny head and a tapering body. It is a mottled grey-brown in colour but can be darker, including black as base colouring. It has a large mouth and spiny gill covers.[2]
The shorthorn sculpin is not venomous, but it can be mistaken for similar looking venomous fishes, notably scorpionfish.[5]
Habitat and behaviour
The shorthorn sculpin is found among seaweed or on rocky bottoms with mud or sand from 0 to 451 m (0–1,480 ft).[2] Although primarily a marine species, it also occurs in brackish waters like the Baltic Sea.[1] Like some other coldwater fish, it has antifreeze proteins, which allow it to survive at temperatures around or slightly below freezing.[6][7]
It was known that sculpin have been affected by heavy metal exposure in West Greenland by a former lead (Pb) - zinc (Zn) mine. Through analysing samples of three different sites, a positive correlation was found between fish at a closer distance to the mine and mucus secretion. This mucus creates a layer over the body that can cause respiratory stress, irregular swimming, and also affects their relationships with parasites. Researchers are hoping to use this mucosal mapping to help better understand effects of contaminant and parasite exposure for future studies.[8]
They feed on a wide range of demersal and benthic fishes and crustaceans.[9]
The shorthorn sculpin spawns in December through March, the eggs being laid on between rocks in a clump protected by the male. They usually hatch in five weeks.
References
-
^ a b c Garcia, S. (2015). "Myoxocephalus scorpius (Europe assessment)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T190210A18983059. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
-
^ a b c Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Myoxocephalus scorpius" in FishBase. June 2019 version.
-
^ Shorthorn Sculpin, Myoxocephalus scorpius Canada's Polar Life: Organisms. www.polarlife.ca
-
^ FishBase: Common names of Myoxocephalus scorpius. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
-
^ Horton, A. Terror of the Rock Pool. British Marine Life Study Society.
-
^ Hew, C.L.; Fletcher, G.L.; Ananthanarayanan, V.S. (1980). Antifreeze proteins from the shorthorn sculpin, Myoxocephalus scorpius: isolation and characterization. Can J Biochem. 58(5): 377–383.
-
^ Baardsnes, J.; Jelokhani-Niaraki, M.; Kondejewski, L.H.; Kuiper, M.J.; Kay, C.M.; Hodges, R.S.; Davies, P.L. (2001). Antifreeze protein from shorthorn sculpin: identification of the ice-binding surface. Protein Sci. 10(12): 2566–2576.
-
^ Dang, M., Pittman, K., Bach, L., Sonne, C., Hansson, S. V., Søndergaard, J., Stride, M., & Nowak, B. (2019). Mucous cell responses to contaminants and parasites in shorthorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus scorpius) from a former lead‑zinc mine in West Greenland. Science of the Total Environment, 678, 207–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.412
-
^ The Pocket Guide to Saltwater Fishes of Britain and Europe
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Myoxocephalus scorpius: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Myoxocephalus scorpius, typically known as the shorthorn sculpin or bull-rout, is a species of fish in the family Cottidae. It is a demersal species of the Northern Atlantic and adjacent subarctic and Arctic seas. The species has many English names that are used less frequently or in small parts of its range, including Arctic sculpin, daddy sculpin, European sculpin, father-lasher, goat sculpin, Greenland sculpin, guffy, horny whore, pig-fish, scully, scummy, short-spined sea scorpion and warty sculpin.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Diet
provided by World Register of Marine Species
Feeds on fishes, large crustaceans, polychaetes and amphipods
North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
- license
- cc-by-4.0
- copyright
- WoRMS Editorial Board
Distribution
provided by World Register of Marine Species
Baffin Bay, Hudson Bay, James Bay to New York
North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
- license
- cc-by-4.0
- copyright
- WoRMS Editorial Board
Habitat
provided by World Register of Marine Species
Found on rocky, sandy and muddy bottoms to depths of 110 m.
North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
- license
- cc-by-4.0
- copyright
- WoRMS Editorial Board
Habitat
provided by World Register of Marine Species
benthic
North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
- license
- cc-by-4.0
- copyright
- WoRMS Editorial Board
