Scientific Name
Cottus caeruleomentum

Common Name
Blue Ridge sculpin

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-19; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 14. Two-spotted first dorsal fin; chin uniformly pigmented; dossal saddles moderate to wide; incomplete lateral line; preopercular spines slight to moderate, palatine teeth weak to moderate, and postpectoral prickling slight to moderate. Distinguished from C. b. bairdi by caudal base band unnotched in at least one side versus both sides notched. Palatine tooth patch moderately developed.

Classification

Classified By

Kinziger, Raesly & Neely, 2000

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Sculpins (Cottidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: Atlantic drainages including the Elk, Susquehanna, Bush, Patapsco, Patuxent, Potomac, Nanticoke, James and Roanoke.

Range

41°N - 36°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal

Trophic Level

3.14 s.e. 0.44 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

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

6.3 cm

Common Length

Unknown 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 (26 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated