Myoxocephalus scorpioides (Fabricius, 1780)
Arctic sculpin
Myoxocephalus scorpioides
photo by Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish.

Family:  Cottidae (Sculpins)
Max. size:  22 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 280 m
Distribution:  Arctic: to James Bay and Straits of Belle Isle in Canada and Greenland.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-17; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 11-13. Caudal fin rounded. Upper parts blackish-brown (paler in females), flanks with dark cross-bands (fainter in males, which have dark bordered white or silvery irregular spots under pectoral fins and above anal fin); breast and belly with dark spots in males and broad white band on reddish orange from pelvic base to anus; lower lip spotted in males (dark in females); pelvic fins with 2-3 dark cross-bands; pectoral rays blackish-brown in males, the membrane with 4-5 transverse rows of translucent spots (some light bands in females); white blotches or stripes on dorsal and anal fins (Ref. 4698).
Biology:  Found on rocky bottoms among algae (Ref. 4698). Benthic (Ref. 58426). Feeds on small benthic amphipods (Ref. 4698).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 November 2023 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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