Facilitating the protection and restoration of species and ecosystems at risk on BC’s South Coast
Cultus Pygmy Sculpin | "Dwarf" Coastrange Sculpin
Cottus sp. 2
Cottus
sp. 2
This diminutive member of the family Cottidae (“sculpins”), sometimes referred to as “bullheads” is part of a group of fishes usually associated with freshwater or marine benthic (substrate) habitats. Cultus Pygmy Sculpin, also referred to as “Cultus Lake” Sculpin has been classified as a dwarf version of the more common Coastrange Sculpin (C. aleuticus), but recent DNA work suggests it is likely a separate species.
Length 2.9-4.5 cm (maximum 5 cm). As with other sculpin species, Cultus Pygmy Sculpin have a large flat head, large fan-like pectoral fins, and a tapering body with small pelvic fins. The anal and dorsal fins are long, the segmented dorsal fin rays (cartilaginous, or bony, dermal rods which form the skeleton of the fins), along the back becoming erect when the fish is excited or stressed. Colouration is subtle, with the dorsal area being brown to grey, lightening to a white ventral area. Larvae and juveniles lack pigmentation on the fins, which become barred as the fish matures. Some enhanced colouration occurs during spawning, with males having an orange band on the first dorsal fin. Both sexes have 1-3 dark saddle-like blotches below the second dorsal fin. Sculpin lack a swim bladder which prevents them from rising vertically in the water column as other fish species can. This tends to restrict them to a benthic existence where their flat heads, streamlined bodies and broad pelvic fins allow for them to remain stationary in the streambeds of the often fast flowing waters they inhabit. The pygmy lake form however has evolved a number of adaptive features to an open water existence including lower bone density, high levels of subsurface fat to provide buoyancy and enlarged sensory pores on the head to assist in sensing the location of prey. These adaptations allow the pygmy lake form to pursue plankton food sources throughout the water column of the deeper, open waters of Cultus Lake.
Download Species Fact Sheet in PDF
Status
Global Status:
G5T1T2
Provincial Status:
S1S2
SARA Status:
Threatened
BC List Status:
Red (Candidates for- Extirpated, Endangered, or Threatened status)
RESOURCES
IMPLICATIONS FOR ITS CONSERVATION
Context for eutrophication and implications for integrated watershed-lake management
For further information see:
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