The Shorthorn Sculpin, scientifically known as Myoxocephalus scorpius, is a species of fish belonging to the family Cottidae. This fish is commonly found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and is recognized for its distinctive appearance and adaptability to various marine environments.
Description & Characteristics
The Shorthorn Sculpin can reach a maximum size of 60.0 cm. It is characterized by a robust body shape, with a large head and a prominent, spiny dorsal fin. The coloration of this fish varies depending on its habitat, ranging from brown to reddish-brown, often with darker blotches or spots. Its body is covered in small, bony plates, and it possesses a pair of short, pointed spines on its operculum, hence the name “Shorthorn.”
Habitat and Occurrence
The Myoxocephalus scorpius has a broad depth range, occurring from the surface to 451.0 meters. It is a highly adaptable species, inhabiting a variety of environments, including muddy grounds, seagrass meadows, eelgrass meadows, and stony soils. Its distribution encompasses the northern Atlantic Ocean, extending from the coast of Greenland and Iceland to the Barents Sea and the coasts of Europe, including the Baltic Sea. The Shorthorn Sculpin is considered a common inhabitant of the neritic zone, the shallow marine zone extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
The species Myoxocephalus scorpius belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Perciformes, and Family: Cottidae. The order Perciformes is one of the largest and most diverse orders of fish, containing over 10,000 species. The Cottidae family, commonly known as sculpins, includes over 300 species of mostly bottom-dwelling fish found in cold and temperate waters around the world.
Feeding
The Shorthorn Sculpin is a predatory fish with a diverse diet. Its feeding habits include consuming a wide range of organisms, such as amphipods, crabs, crustaceans, edible crab, fish (especially small ones), isopods, lobster, mysis, ostracodes (seed shrimps), rock shrimps, shrimps, snails, and worms. This species plays an important role in the marine ecosystem, contributing to the balance of the food web.
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