Scalyhead sculpin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scalyhead sculpin |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Phylum: | |
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Cottidae
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| Genus: |
Artedius
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| Species: |
A. harringtoni
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| Binomial name | |
| Artedius harringtoni (Starks, 1896)
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The Scalyhead sculpin (scientific name: Artedius harringtoni) is a type of fish that lives near the bottom of the ocean. It's also sometimes called the Plumose sculpin. This fish belongs to a family called Cottidae, which includes many different kinds of sculpins. You can find the Scalyhead sculpin in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The scientific name Artedius comes from Peter Artedi, who was a famous naturalist (someone who studies nature). The second part of the name, harringtoni, honors Mark W. Harrington. He was the president of the University of Washington from 1895 to 1897.
How to Spot a Scalyhead Sculpin
The Scalyhead sculpin is a master of camouflage. This means it can blend in with its surroundings, making it hard to see! You can often tell it apart by the bright orange insides of its gills. It also has orange or red lines that go through its eyes.
This fish has special feathery bits called cirri right above each eye. These help it blend in even more. Male and female Scalyhead sculpins look a bit different when they are grown up. This is called sexual dimorphism. Adult males can grow up to 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) long.
Where Scalyhead Sculpins Live
The Scalyhead sculpin lives in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean. Its home stretches along the West Coast of the United States and the British Columbia Coast. You can find them from Kodiak Island in Alaska all the way down to San Miguel Island in California.
These fish prefer rocky areas near the shore. They live in places that are sometimes covered by water and sometimes not (the Intertidal zone). They also live in slightly deeper waters (the Neritic zone), often around docks or pilings. They can be found as deep as 21 meters (about 69 feet) underwater.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Scalyhead sculpins reproduce using internal fertilization. This means the eggs are fertilized inside the female's body. After the eggs are laid, the male sculpin takes on an important job: he guards the eggs until they hatch. Male sculpins are very protective of their space and their eggs. They are known to be quite territorial.
What Scalyhead Sculpins Eat
The Scalyhead sculpin is a forager and a predator. This means it actively searches for food and hunts other creatures. They have been known to eat the eggs of other fish, like the Lingcod (Ophiodon elongates).
Tiny Hitchhikers
Like many animals, Scalyhead sculpins can sometimes have tiny creatures living on or inside them. These are called parasites. For example, this sculpin can be a host to certain types of small crustaceans called copepods. It can also host different kinds of worms, such as tapeworms, digeneans, and nematodes.
See also
In Spanish: Artedius harringtoni para niños
