Kingdom Animalia Family Cottidae Genus Sculpin Order Scorpaeniformes | Class Actinopterygii Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Sculpin, Myoxocephalus aenaeus, Hemitripterus americanus, Sea raven, Myoxocephalus scorpius | ||
Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus or the longhorn sculpin is a Northwest Atlantic species of sculpin in the fish family Cottidae. It is a predatory and scavenging fish that can feed on the remains of other organisms.
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Appearance
The longhorn sculpin varies in color with its surroundings. It has four tinted bands on the back of its body, which range from dark brown to tinted yellow and dark olive in color. When the fish is resting on sand or dirt, it is plain in color, but when resting on pebbles, it is variably marked in order to blend in with its surroundings in both scenarios. The dorsal spines and head spines on the fish are very sharp, and one must be careful if they are to handle it. It has two variably marked dorsal fins, along with two pectorals and an anal fin.
Occurrence
The range extends from Newfoundland and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to Virginia. It is a demersal species that lives in shallow coastal waters, moving to deeper water in winter. It is commonly found at depths of 50 fathoms deep, but can be found as deep as 105 fathoms.