Longhorn Sculpin 387 



Distribution: Occurs on both sides of the North Atlantic. 

 In the American Atlantic it is found from northern Lab- 

 rador to southern New England and as a stray south to 

 New Jersey. It is most common north of Cape Cod. 

 Size: This species is reported to grow to a length of 3 feet, 

 but it usually is less than 2 feet long. 



General Information: The Shorthorn Sculpin is a cold- 

 water fish living on the bottom and most common in waters 

 shoaler than 60 feet. It spawns in winter and the eggs, 

 which are sticky, are deposited among the seaweed, in 

 crevices between rocks and even in old tin cans and other 

 debris. The eggs hatch in 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the 

 temperature of the water. The principal foods of this fish 

 are crabs and other crustaceans, but worms and small fishes 

 are also eaten. 



Economic Importance: An edible species of no commercial 

 importance. 



Longhorn Sculpin 

 Myoxocephalus octodecimspinosus (Mitchill) 



Color: Variable, depending on surroundings. Ground tint 

 of back and sides yellow-green to dark olive, green-brown 

 or dark gray. Four irregular, dark crossbars; these cross- 

 bars often indistinct or broken up into blotches. 

 Distribution: Occurs in coastal waters from Newfoundland 

 to New Jersey and in deep waters south to Virginia. 

 Size: Reaches a length of \V2 feet, but most fish taken 

 are less than one foot. 



General Information: The Longhorn Sculpin is common in 

 cool waters from the shoals in harbors, bays, and estuaries 

 down to depths of over 600 feet. Spawning occurs in late 



