Inland riffle sculpin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Inland riffle sculpin |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The inland riffle sculpin (Cottus gulosus) is a cool type of fish that lives in freshwater. It's part of the Cottidae family, often called "sculpins." You can find these fish in the United States, especially in rivers and streams from Washington down to California. They live in places like the lower Columbia River and around Puget Sound. These sculpins are usually small, growing up to about 11 centimeters (about 4 inches) long. They love to hang out in rocky, fast-moving parts of rivers called "riffles."
Contents
What is the Inland Riffle Sculpin?
The inland riffle sculpin's scientific name is Cottus gulosus. It was first officially described by a French scientist named Charles Frédéric Girard in 1854. He gave it the name Cottopsis gulosus. Scientists use these special names to make sure everyone knows exactly which animal they are talking about, no matter what language they speak!
How to Spot an Inland Riffle Sculpin
Inland riffle sculpins have a unique look that helps them blend in with their surroundings.
- They are usually brown or tan with darker brown spots.
- You might also see reddish colors near their fins.
- They have large mouths and a single pore under their chin.
- Often, their two dorsal fins (the fins on their back) are joined together.
Even though they can look a bit different from fish to fish, you can often identify them by specific spots and the number of rays in their fins.
- They have a big black spot near the end of their first dorsal fin.
- Their second dorsal fin has 16 to 19 rays.
- Each pectoral fin (side fins) has 15 to 16 rays.
- Their anal fin (fin on the underside) has 12 to 16 rays.
When male sculpins are ready to reproduce, they often look darker. They might also have an orange color on the edge of their first dorsal fin.
Where Inland Riffle Sculpins Live
Inland riffle sculpins usually live in the upper parts of streams, especially in areas with "riffles." Riffles are shallow, fast-moving sections of a stream where the water flows over rocks.
- They prefer streams with stable temperatures, ideally around 25-26 degrees Celsius (77-79 degrees Fahrenheit).
- If other types of sculpins, like prickly sculpins, are present, inland riffle sculpins will often move to cooler parts of the stream.
- They like to hide! You'll often find them under rocks or near overhanging banks.
Riffles are great places for many animals to live because lots of small prey organisms are found there. The temperature of the water is very important for sculpins. If the water gets too warm, their bodies use up energy much faster.
What Inland Riffle Sculpins Eat
Inland riffle sculpins mostly eat small creatures that live on the bottom of the stream.
- Their diet includes tiny invertebrates (animals without backbones).
- They also love to eat active insect larvae, like young mayflies and caddisflies.
- If they can find them easily, they might also eat small fish or tiny shrimp-like creatures called amphipods.
These sculpins usually do most of their hunting and eating at night.
