| Family: |
Cottidae (Sculpins) |
| Max. size: |
13.4 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 6 years |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Europe: Great Britain; Atlantic drainages from Garonne (tributaries draining from Massif Central) to Scheldt in France and Belgium. Also in rivers Mosel and Sieg in Germany. Might also be present in other major Rhine tributaries, the French stretch of the upper Rhine and the lower Meuse. Invasive in Rhine drainage in Germany and the Netherlands, reaching upriver (southwar) to Karlsruhe. This invasive population in the Rhine is an intermediate between Cottus perifretum Cottus rhenanus and forms a distinct genetic group across its whole expansion range. |
| Diagnosis: |
Anal soft rays: 11-13. Differs from other species of Cottus in the North Sea and Atlantic basins by the combination of the following characters: no distinct transverse bands on pelvic fin; prickling on body extending backwards to caudal peduncle in juveniles and most adults; sometimes absent in large males; first dorsal fin marbled or black in nuptial males; eye diameter 18-21% HL; interorbital distance 0.7-1.9 times in eye diameter; last anal-fin ray connected to body by a membrane along 0.1-0.90 of its length (Ref. 55856). |
| Biology: |
Occurs in all kinds of streams and rivers including large main rivers, all kinds of shores with coarse gravel or large stones in flowing and stagnant water of rivers, harbors and backwaters (Ref. 55856). Feeds on a wide variety of benthic invertebrates (Ref. 59043). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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