Oligocottus
Oligocottus is a genus of sculpins, a family of ray-finned fish, found in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, primarily off the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia. They are small, bottom-dwelling fish that inhabit rocky shores and intertidal zones.
Common Names
Members of the genus Oligocottus are commonly known as "slimy sculpins" due to their smooth, mucus-covered skin. They are also sometimes referred to as "dwarf sculpins" because of their small size.
Characteristics
Oligocottus species share several distinctive characteristics. They have elongated bodies, with a slightly compressed head and a large mouth with prominent teeth. Their fins are typically soft and fleshy, and they lack the spiny dorsal fin that is characteristic of many other sculpins. They are typically drab in color, with shades of brown, grey, or olive green.
Environments
Oligocottus sculpins are primarily found in intertidal zones and shallow coastal waters. They prefer rocky habitats with abundant algae and crevices, where they can hide from predators. They are often found under rocks, in tide pools, or among seaweed.
Species
There are currently seven recognized species of Oligocottus:
- Oligocottus maculosus (Alaska Slimy Sculpin)
- Oligocottus snyderi (Snyder's Slimy Sculpin)
- Oligocottus borealis (Northern Slimy Sculpin)
- Oligocottus globiceps (Roundhead Slimy Sculpin)
- Oligocottus rhodomelas (Red-Black Slimy Sculpin)
- Oligocottus chathamensis (Chatham Slimy Sculpin)
- Oligocottus kingi (King's Slimy Sculpin)
References
For more information on Oligocottus, please visit the following websites: