Padded sculpin – Artedius fenestralis

Artedius fenestralis, commonly known as the windowed sculpin, is a species of fish belonging to the family Cottidae, commonly known as sculpins. These fish are relatively small, reaching a maximum size of 14.0 cm. They are found in marine environments, primarily inhabiting the demersal zone, which refers to the seafloor and its immediate surroundings.

Description & Characteristics

Artedius fenestralis exhibits a distinctive morphology, with a generally elongated and somewhat compressed body shape. This species has a relatively large head, which is somewhat flattened and possesses a broad, rounded snout. The mouth of Artedius fenestralis is relatively large, and it contains numerous small teeth. The eyes of this sculpin are positioned on the top of the head, providing them with a wide field of vision. The body of Artedius fenestralis is covered in small, bony plates, which provide protection and contribute to their rough, somewhat scaly appearance.

Habitat and Occurrence

Artedius fenestralis is found in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, specifically along the coast of North America from Alaska to California. This species is considered a demersal fish, meaning it primarily resides on the seafloor. Artedius fenestralis is typically found at depths ranging from 1.0 to 55.0 meters, with the majority of individuals inhabiting the intertidal and subtidal zones of the nearshore environment.

Taxonomy

Artedius fenestralis belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Perciformes, and Family: Cottidae. The Teleostei class encompasses the vast majority of modern bony fish species, representing a highly diverse and successful group. The Perciformes order is the largest order of vertebrates, containing about 40% of all fish species, and includes a wide variety of familiar fish, such as perch, bass, and mackerel. The Cottidae family, commonly known as sculpins, is a diverse group of fish with more than 300 species distributed worldwide.

Feeding

Artedius fenestralis are carnivorous fish, and their diet primarily consists of smaller invertebrates. They use their large mouths and numerous small teeth to capture and consume a variety of prey items, including crustaceans, polychaetes, and other small fish. Their demersal lifestyle allows them to effectively forage on the seafloor, where their prey items are abundant.