FRESHWATER SCULPINS (Cottidae) 



Coitus cognatus Richardson 



The freshwater sculpin is a curiously ugly little fish usually not 

 observed unless a special effort is made to collect them. They inhabit 

 the depths of our coldwater lakes and the riffle areas of the cold trout 

 streams. Usually they are a bottom-dweller frequently hiding under 

 stones, and they must be dislodged before they can be collected. 



Freshwater sculpins spawn in the spring attaching the fertilized 

 eggs in clumps under stones. The male guards the eggs until they hatch. 



Food of the sculpin is listed as aquatic insects, small fish, and algae. 

 Although the sculpin is accused of feeding on trout eggs the point needs 

 confirmation with further investigations and proof. Most of the trout 

 eggs that would be available to the sculpin would be those not properly 

 covered and doomed to destruction for this reason. 



Sculpins furnish food for the brook trout, salmon, and togue. 



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