Other Freshwater
Fourhorn Sculpin
Myoxocephalus quadricornis
BothCottidaeGenerally considered stable, but local populations may be vulnerable to habitat degradation and climate change.
About
The Fourhorn Sculpin is a bottom-dwelling fish characterized by the presence of two to four bony tubercles (horns) on the top of its head, though these can be reduced or absent in some populations. They are opportunistic feeders and can tolerate a wide range of salinity and temperature conditions.
- Average size
- Typically 10-20 cm (4-8 inches), but can reach up to 30 cm (12 inches).
- Colors
- Variable, but generally brownish or grayish with darker mottling or bars. Coloration can change to match the substrate.
- Diet
- Primarily benthic invertebrates such as crustaceans (amphipods, isopods), mollusks, and insect larvae. They will also consume small fish and fish eggs when available.
- Region
- Not typically found in the US, but present in Arctic and subarctic regions of North America, including northern Canada and Alaska. Some isolated populations exist in deep, cold lakes further south, remnants of glacial periods.