shorthead sculpin
{{Short description|Species of fish}}
{{Speciesbox
| image =
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| taxon = Cottus confusus
| authority = R. M. Bailey & C. E. Bond, 1963
| synonyms = }}
The shorthead sculpin (Cottus confusus) is a species of fish in the family Cottidae. Shorthead sculpins are small, bottom-dwelling fish, typically measuring around 13 to 15 cm in length. They have large heads, fanlike pectoral fins, and a narrow caudal peduncle. Their physical characteristics include 7–9 dorsal spines, 15–19 dorsal soft rays, 10–14 anal soft rays, and palatine teeth. Their coloration is a mix of dark brown and yellow.{{cite journal |last1=Hendricks |first1=P |title=Status, distribution, and biology of sculpin (Cottidae) in Montana: a review |journal=MT |date=1997 }}
It is found in the United States and Canada, inhabiting the Columbia River drainage in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia. It is also found in the Puget Sound drainage of Washington and in California.{{Cite web |title=California Fish Species – California Fish Website |url=https://calfish.ucdavis.edu/species/?uid=79&ds=241#:~:text=They%20live%20in%20spring-fed%20streams%20where%20water%20temperatures,aquatic%20vegetation%20and%20a%20sand%20or%20gravel%20substrate. |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=calfish.ucdavis.edu}} They will inhabit water where the temperatures range from 15.5 °C to 23.9 °C. They reach a maximum length of 15.0 cm.{{FishBase species |genus= Cottus|species= confusus| month = February | year = 2014}} They will reside in rocky riffles of cold, clear streams, and occasionally lakes. They are sedentary, and nocturnal. Shorthead sculpins inhabit cold and cool water streams embedded with gravel-rocky substrates.{{cite journal |last1=Byington |first1=Darby |last2=Flinders |first2=Jon |last3=Billman |first3=Eric |title=Effect of a trematode infection on growth, reproduction, and mortality of shorthead sculpin |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10641-021-01072-0 |journal=Environmental Biology of Fishes |pages=265–276 |language=en |doi=10.1007/s10641-021-01072-0 |date=1 March 2021|volume=104 |issue=3 |bibcode=2021EnvBF.104..265B |s2cid=233771714 |url-access=subscription }} In Idaho, they are found year-round, while in other regions they are found primarily in the spring.
Diet
The shorthead sculpin's diet resembles that of other sculpins. They are benthic invertivores meaning they eat primarily aquatic insects, small fish, or trout and salmon eggs. They spend the days sleeping under rocks and prey on the small invertebrates, at night, making them nocturnal hunters.{{cite journal |last1=Johnson |first1=D.W. |last2=Cannameia |first2=D.A |last3=Gasser |first3=K.W. |title=Food habits of the shorthead sculpin (Cottus confusus) in the Big Lost River, Idaho |journal=Northwest Science |date=1983}}
Reproduction
Females reach sexual maturity around two to three years, and males two years of age. Spawning occurs in the spring when water temperature ranges from 8 to 15°C. Sculpins are nest builders. The males will prepare a nest, typically built underneath rocks. The female will lay the eggs, leave and then the male fertilizes the eggs. The male stays to guard and care for the eggs.{{cite web |last1=Daw |first1=S |title=Sculpins |url=https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/sculpins.htm#:~:text=After%20courtship%20with%20a%20territorial%20male%2C%20the%20female,weeks%20later%20into%20baby%20fish%2C%20known%20as%20fry. |website=National Park Service |access-date=May 5, 2023}}
Conservation status
These fish have been assigned a conservation status of 'least concern' in the United States. Main threats to the species are extended periods of low flows and runoff from mining and industrial activities. Another threat is non-native species. Researchers have found that largemouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, and pumpkinseed pose a moderate to high ecological threat to the shorthead sculpin.{{cite web |last1=Canada |first1=Environment and Climate Change |title=Shorthead Sculpin (Cottus confusus): management plan, 2019 |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/management-plans/shorthead-sculpin-2019.html |website=www.canada.ca |date=23 August 2019}}
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:sculpin, shorthead}}