Deepwater Sculpin

Key Characteristics:

  • 36-43 total myomeres
  • Body elongated
  • Melanophores may appear along dorsum of (inside lining of fish) peritoneum
Caption

Larval Deepwater Sculpin. United States Fish Wildlife Service. Marian Shaffer. 2017.

 

Caption

Larval Deepwater Sculpin’s Body/Tail. United States Fish Wildlife Service. Marian Shaffer. 2017.

 

Caption

Larval Deepwater Sculpin’s Head. United States Fish Wildlife Service. Marian Shaffer. 2017.

Dr. Auer’s Dichotomous Key

  • Body not elongated, eel-shaped, round in transverse section, uniformly pigmented (1B)
  • Chin barbels absent (3B)
  • Snout short, its length usually less than 10% TL; median fins otherwise (5B)
  • Median fins or finfolds showing distinct separation (7B)
  • No adipose fin, or demarcation of one, in finfold (10B)
  • Preanal myomeres significantly less than postanal myomeres (difference greater than five myomeres) (14B)
  • Postanal myomeres less than 35, total myomeres less than 50, chin barbel absent (16B)
  • Postanal myomeres less than 25, preanal length usually greater than 40% TL (17B)
  • Mouth Terminal or inferior; usually two dorsal fins (18B)
  • Pectoral fins well developed; head depressed; swim bladder not visible (19A)
    • Cottidae

Or*

  • Body not elongated, eel-shaped, round in transverse section, uniformly pigmented (1B)
  • Chin barbels absent (3B)
  • Snout short, its length usually less than 10% TL; median fins otherwise (5B)
  • Median fins or finfolds continuous, or nearly so (7A)
  • Pectoral fins large and usually well developed; lower jaw without barbel; urostyle upturned or notochord straight, if straight caudal fin rays developed on ventral half only (8B)
  • Larva sparsely pigmented; often exhibiting “saddle markings” on dorsum; opercle often with spine(s); notochord flexed; mouth subterminal (9B)
    • Cottidae

Adult History 

  • Physical Description
    • Wide & flat head, Lack of scales, pair of independent pelvic fins, huge mouth that extends to beneath the eye, pelvic fin not fused but consist of 3 rays, 2 dorsal fins (first: 7-8spines & second: 12-14 rays), complete lateral line on top, preopercular spines, anal fin (13-15 rays and no spine) and rounded or square tail
  • Spawning Habitat
    • Slow – moving water near shores of lakes, rivers, or streams 
  • Spawning Substrate
    • Eggs are deposited in either gravel or sand
  • Spawning Behavior
    • Male prepares nest under objects (rocks, logs, sticks)
      • Won’t leave until all the eggs are hatched
  • Time of Year
    • WInter spawning in Lake Michigan
    • Spawning typically takes place at water temperatures below 42°F
  • Diet
    • Herbivorous
    • Insects, copepods, plant matter, algae, and protozoa
Sea Grant – University of Wisconsin/NOAA

Adult Deepwater Sculpin. UW – Sea Grant, UW – Madison, and NOAA. John Lyons. 2013.

Reference Page