Scientific Name
Cottus ricei

Common Name
Spoonhead sculpin

Biology
Inhabits rocky areas of swift creeks and rivers. Also found in lakes. Probably feeds on planktonic crustaceans and aquatic insect larvae (Ref. 1998). Spawning occurs late summer or early fall (Ref. 1998). Forage fish of Salvelinus namaycush and Lota lota found in inland lakes (Ref. 1998).

Classification

Classified By

Nelson, 1876

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Sculpins (Cottidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: St. Lawrence-Great Lakes and Arctic basins from southern Quebec to the Mackenzie River drainage in Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory and northeastern British Columbia in Canada, and south to northern Ohio and northern Montana in the USA.

Range

70°N - 42°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

137 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; depth range ? - 137 m (Ref. 5723)

Trophic Level

2.99 s.e. 0.35 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

13.4 cm

Common Length

6.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated