Shorthead sculpin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shorthead sculpin |
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The shorthead sculpin (Cottus confusus) is a cool type of fish. It belongs to the Cottidae family. These small fish live at the bottom of rivers and streams. They usually grow to be about 13 to 15 centimeters long. Shorthead sculpins have big heads and fins that look like fans. Their bodies are often dark brown and yellow.
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About the Shorthead Sculpin
Shorthead sculpins are small fish that live on the bottom. They are known for their large heads. Their fins on the side, called pectoral fins, spread out like a fan. These fish are usually dark brown and yellow. They have a narrow tail section.
Where They Live
You can find shorthead sculpins in the United States and Canada. They live in the Columbia River area. This includes parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. You can also find them in British Columbia in Canada. They also live near the Puget Sound in Washington and in California.
These fish like water that is not too hot. They prefer temperatures between 15.5 °C and 23.9 °C. They live in cold, clear streams. They like rocky areas called riffles. Sometimes, they can also be found in lakes. They stay near the bottom and are most active at night. In Idaho, you can find them all year. In other places, they are mostly seen in the spring.
What They Eat
The shorthead sculpin's diet is like other sculpins. They mainly eat aquatic insects. These are bugs that live in the water. They might also eat small fish. Sometimes, they even eat the eggs of trout and salmon. During the day, they hide under rocks. At night, they come out to hunt for their food. This makes them nocturnal hunters.
How They Reproduce
Female shorthead sculpins are ready to have babies when they are two or three years old. Males are ready when they are two years old. They lay eggs in the spring. This happens when the water temperature is between 8 and 15 degrees Celsius.
Sculpins are nest builders. The male fish gets a nest ready. He usually builds it under rocks. The female lays her eggs in the nest. Then, she leaves. The male then fertilizes the eggs. He stays to guard the eggs. He takes care of them until they hatch.
Protecting Them
The conservation status of shorthead sculpins is "least concern" in the United States. This means they are not currently in danger. However, there are still some threats to them.
One threat is when rivers have low water levels for a long time. Another problem is pollution. This can come from mining or factories. Non-native species are also a threat. These are fish that don't naturally live in the area. Researchers have found that fish like Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike can be a danger to shorthead sculpins.
